Beijing Time 8pm July 14th, 2021, IWUF Virtual Extraordinary Congress was held successfully with members of the IWUF Executive Board and 76 member federations. International Wushu Federation President Gou Zhongwen, Secretary General Zhang Qiuping attended this Extraordinary Congress in Beijing, China.
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 16th IWUF Congress, originally scheduled to be held in 2021, could not be held on-site as scheduled. Therefore, in accordance with the IWUF Constitution, the IWUF convenes all member associations to mainly discuss postponing the adjustment of the 16th World Championships and the amendments of the IWUF Constitution. Appointed by President Gou Zhongwen, Secretary General Zhang Qiuping chaired this Extraordinary Congress.
IWUF President Gou Zhongwen first delivered a speech and extended warm welcome and sincere greetings to all the delegates. He said, in the past year, the IWUF and all its member federations have worked together to cope with unprecedented difficulties and challenges. Despite the impact of the COVID-19, the sport of wushu still has many bright spots on the international stage. It has achieved many exciting results including wushu becoming an official event of the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games, the IWUF becoming a member of International World Games Association, etc.
The Extraordinary Congress proceeded smoothly according to the agenda. After voting by the delegates, it approved the resolution to postpone the 16th World Wushu Championships and the 16th IWUF Congress from 2021 to 2023 by the majority of votes cast. The Extraordinary Congress also reviewed the revised draft of the IWUF Constitution. The amendments focus on the IWUF ethics and anti-doping construction aspects. The new version of the IWUF Constitution, approved by this Extraordinary Congress by the majority of votes cast, will be in force on July 14, 2021.
At the end, President Gou Zhongwen made concluding remarks and announced the closing of the Extraordinary Congress.
