A total of 3000 competitors in 222 delegations from 15 countries and regions took part in the 2014 Xiamen International Wushu Competition held in Haicang district, Xiamen, Fujian Province, on Sept 12-15.

Themed “Grand Wushu Gathering, Brand Event and Culture & Business Travel”, the competition included traditional and athletic martial arts.

Apart from the traditional gold, silver and bronze prizes for individuals and groups, the competition also introduced a variety of other prizes, such as All-round Individual Wushu Forms Champion, Group Wushu Forms Prize, Taekwondo Poomsae/Sparring Champion, Prize for Senior Wushu Master, Prize for Wushu Prodigy, Excellent Coach Prize and Sportsmanship Prize.

Shen Yue, a competitor from Taiwan Wudang guild, has attended the competition every year since it was held for the first time 3 years ago and won the Prize for Senior Wushu Master this year. “The organizing committee is nice and friendly, which is very impressive. It is the third time I came here to attend the competition and the improvements can be seen in every aspect. I am proud to be a part of it,” said Shen.

Cheng Chuen Fun, a Wing Tsun martial arts coach from Hong Kong, attracted public attention as he is the second generation disciple of Wing Tsun master Yip Man. He said after the movie “Yip Man” was released, that more and more people started to get interested in this traditional form of martial art but few really know about it. He hoped the competition could serve as a platform for people to understand Wing Tsun better.

In order to create a better Wushu competition atmosphere and increase its influence, the competition held a series of supporting activities such as a Moon cake DIY competition and examination and lecture of Wushu and health care.

The event was supervised by the Wushu Administration Center under the General Administration of Sports in China, co-hosted by Fujian Provincial Sports Bureau, Xiamen Municipal Sports Bureau and Haicang District Government, and planned and executed by Xiamen HY International Media Co., Ltd.

By China Daily Fujian Burea