To fully leverage the exemplary leadership of outstanding wushu athletes, create positive promotional momentum for the wushu events at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG), and inspire global youth participation in the sport, the IWUF annouced five distinguished athletes—one from each continent—as Wushu Ambassadors for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games on June 25, following a vote by the IWUF Athletes’ Committee. The appointed ambassadors and their profiles are as follows:
Asia: Tong Xin (China) – As one of China's most accomplished wushu athletes, she specializes in taijiquan. Her distinguished career includes winning gold at the Asian Games and World Taijiquan Championships. She was honored as second runner-up for the 2024 IWGA Athlete of the Year award.
Europe: Loan Drouard (France) – He stands as France's premier wushu athlete, specializing in changquan. His remarkable achievements include nine French national titles, two European championships and The World Games medalist. He is nominated as wushu candidate for both WADA and IWGA Athlete Committees.
Africa: Ousmanne Gueye (Senegal) – He is an elite wushu athlete from the 2026 YOG host country, specializing in nanquan. His distinguished interactions include two meetings with then-IOC President Thomas Bach in 2022: first as Africa's representative during the 2022 World Games and subsequently during President Bach's official inspection visit for the 2026 YOG preparations.
Pan America: Michele Santos (Brazil) – She is an excellent wushu athlete from the 17th WWC host country, specializing in changquan. Her achievements include Pan American Championships gold and World Games bronze medals.
Oceania: Elizabeth Lim (Australia)– She made history as Australia's first World Wushu Championships gold medalist in nanquan. She served as team manager for the Australian Junior Wushu Team at the 8th World Junior Wushu Championships. She continues to help develop the next generation of wushu competitors.
IWUF Secretary General Zhang Yuping stated: "These five ambassadors will leverage their professional excellence and personal charisma to promote wushu sport and culture globally, with special focus on inspiring youth engagement. We look forward to utilizing the Dakar YOG as a platform where, through the exemplary leadership of our five ambassadors from five continents, more youth worldwide will discover, embrace, and practice wushu.”
The five wushu ambassadors will deeply engage in a series of Youth Olympic Games-themed promotional activities organised by their respective national associations, continental federations, and the IWUF through both online and offline channels. All upcoming initiatives will be regularly updated on IWUF's official website and social media platforms.
