The 6th Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG) will be held from November 7-21, in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. This Games will feature 19 official sports, with wushu included once again as an official sport after its appearances in 2013 and 2017, further highlighting its widespread influence among Islamic countries.
Islamic Solidarity Games: Promoting Sports Exchanges and Cooperation
The Islamic Solidarity Games, hosted by the Islamic Solidarity Sport Assocation (ISSA), it has become an important platform for sporting exchange among Islamic countries since its establishment in 2005 in Saudi Arabia. The event is held every 4 years, bringing together athletes from 57 member countries from Asia, Africa, Europe and South America. In 2025, the event will return to Saudi Arabia, further deepening sports cooperation and cultural integration in the Islamic world.
Wushu’s Thriving Development in Islamic Countries
Wushu has a deep base in many Islamic countries and regions. Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, Brunei and other countries have not only successfully hosted top international wushu events including the World Wushu Championships and the World Junior Wushu Championships, but their athletes have also achieved remarkable results in international events. In addition, wushu athletes from Iran, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Tunisia, Kazakhstan, Lebanon and other countries have also performed well, winning medals in international events, demonstrating their high competitive level and the unique charm of wushu.
Wushu’s Relationship with ISG
Wushu has a deep connection with the Islamic Solidarity Games and has been included as an official sport twice, in 2013 and 2017. Its re-selection for 2025 was achieved by the joint cooperation of the IWUF with the Egyptian Wushu Federation, the I.R. Iran Wushu Federation, the Saudi Wushu Kung Fu Committee and other parties. This milestone not only reflects the high recognition of the sport of wushu in Islamic countries, but will also give strong impetus to the further promotion and development of wushu in the Islamic world.
Rapid Development of Wushu in Saudi Arabia
In recent years, wushu has grown rapidly in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Wushu Kungfu Committee was established in 2021 and officially joined the International Wushu Federation in 2022. Saudi wushu athletes made their debut at the 8th World Junior Wushu Championships in 2022, winning a historic bronze medal in sanda men's junior 45kg category. In 2023, Saudi Arabia successfully hosted the 3rd World Combat Games, in which the wushu competitions attracted nearly 80 athletes from 31 countries and regions around the world. Saudi Arabia's local athletes performed brilliantly, winning 1 silver and 3 bronze medals in wushu sanda events, showing a strong competitive level.
For more information about 2025 ISG, please visit ISSA website:
https://issa.sport/en/activities/mega-activities/ISG-Riyadh-2025
