Wushu at the Olympic Games

Wushu is a Chinese martial art. It is both an exhibition and full-contact sport, derived from traditional Chinese martial arts. Wushu competitions are generally divided into two disciplines - taolu (forms) and sanda (sparring). More about the Sport of Wushu.

Wushu was one of eight sports being considered for a single spot in the 2020 Olympics. In May 2013 the IOC decided to drop Wushu from the shortlist. Another vote to add a sport onto the 2020 Tokyo Olympic program in June 2015 found Wushu short-listed with another seven sports, but again it was dropped from the list.

Previously, the IOC allowed China to organize an international Wushu event during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. This event was not an official demonstration event nor one of the official Olympic sports - it was called the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Wushu Tournament.

Some people consider that the chance of Wushu making the Olympics is limited, as there are already a few combat sports/martial arts on the program. 

Wushu at the World Games

Wushu (also known as Kungfu) is a collective name for the martial art practices that has its root in China. Athletes employ a wide variety of martial arts techniques in Wushu. It has two disciplines - Sanda and Taolu.

The Sanda events consists of three women's and three men's weight classes. Taolu event, on the other hand, are grouped into the men's and women's categories.

Men's - Changquan, Daoshu and Gunshu Combined, Nanquan and Nangun Combined, Taijiquan and Taijijian Combined and Women's - Changquan, Jianshu and Qiangshu Combined, Nanquan and Nandao Combined, Taijiquan and Taijijian Combined.

Wushu made its World Games debut at the 2009 Kaohsiung World Games as an invitational sport. Subsequently, it featured at the 2013 Cali World Games, the 2022 Birmingham World Games, and the 2025 Chengdu World Games.

Here are the medalists who won gold at the end of the 2025 Chengdu Wushu event:

Event Medal Name Country
Men's Changquan - Daoshu - Gunshu Gold GAO Jiushang China
Men's Nanquan - Nangun Gold BANITALEBI Shahin Iran
Men's Taijiquan - Taijijian Gold YEUNG Chung Hei Hong Kong
Women's Changquan - Jianshu - Qiangshu Gold SHAM Hui Yu Lydia Hong Kong
Women's Nanquan - Nandao Gold TAN Cheong Min Malaysia
Women's Taijiquan - Taijijian Gold LU Zhuoling China
Women's 52kg Gold CHEN Mengyue China
Women's 60kg Gold LI Zhiqin China
Women's 70kg Gold BAGHERZADEHVASKAS Seyedehyasaman Iran
Men's 56kg Gold TANG Sishuo China
Men's 70kg Gold SONG Gicheol Korea
Men's 85kg Gold WAHDAN Alhussein Egypt

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