Day 1 of the 15th World Wushu Championships got off to a rollicking start with a slew of high scores early on, and a packed audience enjoyed a morning session capped by Jet Li awarding the gold medal to delighted Macau Jianshu athlete Yi Li. Men’s Daoshu saw some fierce competition, as home team favorite Zhao Hua Wu of China took first place and held onto it to the end. The final competitor on the carpet, Ilias Khusnutidnov of Russia, rocked the stadium with his routine scoring a 9.643 that secured him the silver medal.
Sanda got started with early rounds whittling down the competition. Evening competition saw Shangyang Chuah of Malaysia nab the gold in men’s Xingyiquan, while the giant men’s Nanchuan category offered the audience favorite stars like Michele Giordano, and a gold medal performance by Chinese athlete Yonda Liang.
Day 1 Taolu winners are:
Women’s Baguazhang
Suijin CHEN – Hong Kong, China – Gold
Yujeong CHOI – Korea – Silver
Hger FARAHAT – Egypt – Bronze
Men’s Daoshu
Zhao Hua WU – China – Gold
Ilias KHUSNUTDINOV – Russia – Silver
Si Wei Jowen LIM – Singapore – Bronze
Women’s Nanquan
Lu TANG – China – Gold
Cheong Min TAN – Malaysia – Silver
Jianxin HE – Hong Kong, China – Bronze
Women’s Jianshu
Yi LI – Macau, China – Gold
Thuy Vi DUONG – Vietnam – Silver
Heeju SEO – Korea – Bronze
Men’s Xingyiquan
Shangyang CHUAH – Malaysia – Gold
Pui Seng CHEONG – Macau, China – Silver
Christoph HUYNH – Germany – Bronze
Men’s Nanchuan
Yongda LIANG – China – Gold
Chi Lung LAU Hong Kong, China – Silver
Jun Hua HUANG – Macau, China – Bronze
Women’s Taijijian
Wen Xin JU – China – Gold
Uen Ying Juanita MOK – Hong Kong, China – Silver
Yujeong CHOI – Korea – Bronze