Tuesday November 27, 2012
Malaysia hoping for 2020 Olympic wushu boost
KUALA LUMPUR: It will be sweet music to the ears of Malaysian Wushu Federation (MWF) president Martin Lim if the sport gets into the 2020 Olympics.
Martin is optimistic the country will see a gold medallist if wushu becomes an Olympic sport.
Wushu, squash, karate, baseball, softball, wakeboard, sport climbing and roller sports have been shortlisted by the International Olympic Council (IOC) for the single available slot for the 2020 Games.
The decision will be made at the 2013 IOC Congress in Buenos Aires.
The 12th World Wushu Championships at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium in Cheras from Oct 28-Nov 6 next year will be the best platform to showcase the sport.
It will be the second time Malaysia will host the world meet after their first in 1993, which saw entries from 50 countries.
Martin said they are expecting about 1,300 participants from 85 countries next year.
“Wushu is now well accepted worldwide as a sport that requires concentration of mind and body.
“We hosted two world meets (including the World Youth Championships in Kuala Lumpur in 2006) and everyone who came went back with fond memories of our country.
“On our part, we have always won one or two gold medals at the last few world championships.
“We can bring a gold medal back if wushu is part of the Olympics,” said Martin at the signing ceremony for the hosting rights to the world meet at the Olympic Council of Malaysia yesterday.
The ceremony was witnessed by International Wushu Federation (IWUF) president Yu Zaiqing and National Sports Council director general Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong.
The competition at the world meet will be divided into two disciplines for men and women – taolu (routine) and sanda (combat or sanshou).
Martin said they hope to do well as the host nation and match their best ever performance of four gold medals at the 2005 meet in Hanoi.
“We have traditionally been able to win medals in taolu but we will try to get better results in sanda this time,” he said.
“Sanda has been our weak point but our exponents have improved and we will prepare a strong team for the world meet.”
Malaysia returned with a medal haul of 1-2-4 from the last world meet in Ankara last year.
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