Wushu upstarts get shots in world meet

PHILIPPINE National Games (PNG) triple gold medalists Faith Liana Andaya and Vanessa Jo Chan are set to lead the cast of young wushu athletes from Baguio as they eye for medals in the upcoming 4th World Junior Wushu Championship.

Andaya won the gold medal in the female sanlu quan, female short weapon, and female long weapon in taulo while Chan brought home gold medals in the long weapon, short weapon and female chanqaun events at the PNG to earn a spot in the competition.

The two will be joined by Zereena Redge Dumseng, Alison Ken Omengan, Joel Casim and Christian Nicolas Lapitan as part of the Phl junior wushu team for the tournament slated September 17–25 in Macau, China.

“Although kung titignan natin eh halos hirap yung mga batang mag training kasi walang facility, sa tingin ko eh may tsansa naman yung mga batang makapag uwi ng medalya,” Wushu Federation of the Philippines–Cordillera chapter president Tony Candelaria.

Events to be played in the taulo competition in Group A are Changquan, Daoshu, Jianshu, Qiangshu, Gunshu (2nd Set of International Competition Taolu), Nanquan, 42 Forms Taijiquan, 42 Forms Taijijian, Nandao, Nangun (International Competition Taolu), and Dual Events

Competitions in Group B include Changquan, Daoshu, Jianshu, Qiangshu, Gunshu (1st Set of International Competition Taolu), 24 Forms Taijiquan, 32 Forms Taijijian, Nanquan, and Nandao (International Competition Taolu).

Action in Group C includes Changquan (No.3 Elementary Routine), Daoshu, Jianshu, Qiangshu, Gunshu (Elementary Taolu).

Sanda or sanshou competitions which is the combative side of wushu will include Male - 48kg, 52kg, 56kg, 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg and 80kg while the distaff side will include 48kg, 52kg, 56kg and 60kg.

The World Junior Wushu Championships (WJWC) is an international wushu competition organized by the International Wushu Federation for competitors (male and female) below 18 years of age.