The 7th Wushu World Championships took place in the stadium of the Macao Polytechnic Institute from November 3rd to 7th, 2003. This major international sporting event was hosted by the International Wushu Federation (IWUF), jointly organized by the Macao Sport Development Board and the Macao Martial Arts Association, and co-organized by the 4th East Asian Games Organizing Committee of Macao. Over 500 athletes from 58 countries/regions participated in this year’s world championship competition.
Ho Hau Wah, Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Chui Sai On, Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of Macao SAR, Li Zhijian, Chairman of IWF, and Yu Zai’qing, Vice-President of the General Administration of Sport, attended the opening ceremony. Following 5 days of intense competition, China’s team topped the medallist list with 17 gold medals and 1 silver medal. Macao’s team ranked 8th with 2 gold medals and 4 bronze medals. Han Jing from Macao’s Team won first place in the women’s swords and, together with teammate Zhong Xiulan, championship in the women’s dual events. Liang Hongmin placed third in men’s Nandao and Zhong Xiulan third in women’s Qiangshu. Zhou Zhiming and Lin Lizhan both received third places in the Sanshou Competition (48kg for men and 70kg for women).
The 7th Wushu World Championships is the largest of its kind in the history of Macao in regard to the number of countries, regions and athletes participating. The successful convening of the 7th Wushu World Championships once again proves Macao’s ability to host large-scale international tournaments and greatly promotes the development of Wushu as a competitive sport in Macao. The achievement of 2 gold medals and 4 bronze medals represents the effective support of the Macao government and the dedication and effort made by the Macao Chinese Martial Arts Association and its coaches and athletes.
Because the 7th Wushu World Championships was held in Macao, the Macao Team received a great deal of attention and enthusiastic support from the general public. They also enjoyed full support from the Macao SAR government, from the Macao Sport Development Board, and from local institutions such as colleges and universities. As it was a world championship competition, on the other hand, there was unprecedented pressure on our local athletes and coaches. Han Jing, top athlete of Macao’s Wushu team, had previously won 10 national championships in mainland China and seized the gold medal for Macao’s team in the 3rd East Asian Games in 2001. However, she could not attend the 6th Wushu World Championships in Armenia and was disappointed in the 2002 Asian Games to win only one silver medal. She therefore felt even more pressure in this year’s world championships. She slept poorly and often got up early to practice. Liang Hongmin, who has been living on an allowance from the government, earnestly hoped to do well in the contest. For other athletes, this might be their last chance to compete in a world championship and they all wished to perform excellently.
With the support and assistance of the Macao Sport Development Board, the Macao Wushu Team prepared well for the competition. They were even able to go to Beijing for intensive training against the Beijing Wushu Team during summer vacation. All their hard work and effort paid off when the Macao Team demonstrated their abilities in the world competition.
Wushu in Macao has solid foundations and is popular among the public. Various Wushu schools co-exist in harmony. Athletic Wushu has received support from the Macao government and various groups in Macao society who recognize the dedication and great efforts made by our local athletes. With the development of modern Wushu, especially with the application of Wushu to be included into the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, it is believed that the present international rules for Wushu contests will soon undergo modifications and the original international fixed forms will be replaced with free forms. Therefore, the athletes must demonstrate moves of even greater difficulty. These changes will entail new challenges and opportunities for Wushu athletes in Macao.
