Haikou, China, July 1, 2026: The Asian Games in Japan and Youth Olympic Games in Senegal make 2026 a “pivotal moment” for wushu around the world, according to a leading Chinese official.
Speaking at the international training course for wushu judges in Haikou, Hainan Province, Mr. Li Yongqiang, Director of the Technical Committee of the International Wushu Federation and Vice President of the Chinese Wushu Association, said the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and Dakar YOG would be key landmarks for the sport.
“This year marks a pivotal moment for the development of wushu,” he said.
“In October, the wushu competition at the Dakar Youth Olympic Games will officially commence. This is the first time that wushu has been included as a full medal sport in the Olympic Games series - a milestone of tremendous significance, a source of pride for all of us in the wushu community and a testament to our collective efforts over the years. At the same time, this is also an Asian Games year.
“To further elevate the international standing of wushu, the Chinese Wushu Association has been working closely with the IWUF and the Wushu Federation of Asia to organise a series of international exchange and promotional activities.
“This training course is a key part of those efforts, with over 160 judges from 39 countries and regions registered to participate.
“The Chinese Wushu Association places great importance on this event. We have actively coordinated with the IWUF to ensure comprehensive planning and execution, with the goal of providing a quality platform for judges worldwide to learn, share and grow - ultimately contributing to fairer and more equitable wushu competitions.”
Li spoke of the importance of assembling a large group of well-trained and certified judges in order to produce high standards of officiating around the world.
“Wushu judges carry a profound responsibility - to drive the standardisation and internationalisation of our sport,” he added.
“The rules are the foundation of any competition and the compass that guides technical development; judges, in turn, serve as the vital bridge between the rules and their application on the competition floor. They are the guardians of quality and integrity in wushu.
“Over the years, wushu has gained tremendous popularity across the globe, and more and more people from diverse backgrounds are taking up and loving this art. That would not have been possible without your dedication and hard work.”
Addressing the judges, Li said: “This training course is designed not only to sharpen your officiating skills and reinforce your knowledge but also to ensure that we are fully prepared, from a judging perspective, to deliver world-class competitions at both the Asian Games and the Youth Olympic Games. It is also meant to help steer wushu in the right direction for the future.”
The training and certification course has been organised by the IWUF, the WFA and the CWA in collaboration with the OCA in a groundbreaking partnership.
