Exponents to get their kicks in Asia’s first online wushu competition

PETALING JAYA: The national wushu exponents finally have a competition to gauge where they stand in Asia after almost two years of inactivity.

The Wushu Federation of Malaysia (WFM) have picked three male and three female athletes to participate in the Asian Traditional Wushu Online Competition.

The participating national exponents are Kuala Lumpur SEA Games double gold medallist Yeap Wai Kin, Chuah Shangyang, Tan Cheong Wan, Sydney Chin Sy Xuan, Pang Pui Yee and Mandy Cebelle Chen.

WFM deputy president Datuk Chai Yoon Siong will be the team manager while the exponents will be coached by Loh Choon How.

“It is the first online wushu competition in Asia and will be co-hosted by the Wushu Federation of Asia because the Covid-19 situation is still serious in Asia.

“Most of our member countries could not train together without interruptions, neither could they organise competitions.

“In our case, the last competition for the national exponents was the Philippines SEA Games back in 2019.

“We just can’t let the Covid-19 situation get the better of wushu and we have been exploring more ways to keep the sport alive.

“Our athletes have been fully prepared for this competition, the national coaches have been guiding them and our national wushu team will submit their competition videos to the organising committee in time,” said WFM president Datuk Chong Kim Fatt.

He stressed that the past two years have severely interrupted everyone’s life but as a wushu athlete, they must not skip their trainings.

“Physical and core trainings at home remain essential.”

The organising committee will be accepting online registration and submission of competition videos until Sept 14.

Judging work will take place from Sept 20-30 and the results will be announced on Oct 4.