On April 24 the press conference for the 5th World Taijiquan Championships took place in Burgas, Bulgaria.
As one of the six signature official events of the International Wushu Federation (IWUF), the World Taijiquan Championships is the world's highest-level taijiquan-specific competition organized by the IWUF. First held in 2014, the championships take place every two years. This edition has attracted 342 athletes, coaches, and officials from 38 countries and regions.
At the press conference, addresses were delivered by Stefan Kolev, Member of the IWUF Executive Committee and President of the Bulgarian Wushu Federation, and Manol Todorov, Deputy Mayor of Burgas. Also in attendance were Lu Xiaolin, Deputy Director of the IWUF Technical Committee and Member of the Jury of Appeal of this event, and Shao Yingjian, Chief Referee of the event.
In his speech, Kolev noted that taijiquan, as an integral part of wushu, embodies the philosophical concepts of "following nature, balancing yin and yang, and achieving harmonious coexistence." He emphasized that taijiquan has transcended sport and competition to become a life philosophy and health wisdom that pursues mind-body coordination and holistic cultivation, attracting hundreds of millions of enthusiasts worldwide. In 2020, UNESCO inscribed taijiquan on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In 2025, March 21 was officially established as the International Taijiquan Day. On March 21 of this year, the first International Taijiquan Day was celebrated globally. This marks the growing worldwide recognition and appreciation of taijiquan's universal value as a shared fitness practice and cultural treasure.
Kolev stated that the IWUF established the World Taijiquan Championships to provide a platform for global taijiquan enthusiasts to exchange ideas, enhance skills, promote culture, and foster the sustained development of taijiquan worldwide. Over more than a decade, the event has become an important bridge connecting different cultures and deepening international understanding, allowing taijiquan wisdom to transcend mountains and oceans and root itself around the world.
Deputy Mayor Manol Todorov described Burgas as a city of freedom and vibrant dreams. He noted that the city loves rhythm, lives passionately, holds the warm memories of the seaside, and always stays ahead of the curve. Burgas successfully hosted the 6th World Junior Wushu Championships in 2016 and the 3rd World Taijiquan Championships in 2018. He welcomed taijiquan lovers from around the world to Burgas to experience the city's unique charm.
This edition features two main categories: championship events and demonstration events. The competitive events include optional, newly standardized, and compulsory routines, with a total of 38 gold medals. The demonstration events cover compulsory and traditional routines, including Sun, Wu, Yang, Chen, and Wu (hao) style taijiquan.
Shao Yingjian, Chief Referee of this event, told local reporters that the IWUF judges team will strictly follow competition rules and scoring standards, performing their duties professionally, objectively, and impartially, respecting every athlete's training and performance, and ensuring a transparent and well-regulated competitive environment for all delegations. He added that it is an honor to officiate such a high-level competition in beautiful Burgas, and that the team feels the city's warmth and charm.
By the shores of the Black Sea, a gentle breeze blows. The charm of taijiquan is permeating Burgas, where taijiquan elites from around the world will compete at the highest level of strength, elegance, firmness, and softness. The 5th World Taijiquan Championships will open on the evening of April 25 at the Mladost Sports Hall, with official competitions running from April 26 to 29.
For more information, please visit the official website: [https://burgas2026.com/]
