The press conference for the IWUF 11th Sanda World Cup was successfully held on May 11 at the Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion in Macao.
Hosted by the International Wushu Federation (IWUF) and organized by the Wushu General Association of Macau (WGAM) for the first time, the tournament will take place from May 13 to 15 at Macau’s Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion. As the world’s highest-level wushu sanda event debuting in Macao, China for the first time, the event is expected to draw 110 participants—including nearly 60 athletes, along with coaches and team leaders—from 21 countries and regions, competing for a total of 17 gold medals.
Zhang Yuping, IWUF Secretary-General, Chan Wing Kit, President of the Macau Wushu General Association, Mohamed, Member of the IWUF Technical Committee and Jury of Appeal of the event, and Leong Chong Leng, Executive Director of the Organizing Committee for the IWUF 11th Sanda World Cup, attended the press conference and briefly introduced the event arrangements.
Zhang Yuping stated that the Sanda World Cup is one of the six official flagship events of the IWUF, held biennially. Having been successfully staged ten times so far, it gathers top-3 athletes from all weight divisions of the World Wushu Championships, serving as a vital platform for global sanda elites to showcase their prowess, exchange skills and learn from one another. This edition will further promote cultural exchange and mutual learning of wushu across nations and regions, convey the values of peace, health, self-discipline and respect to the world, fully embody the spirit and essence of wushu culture, and present the globe with a high-standard, high-quality and spectacular wushu sanda gala.
In his address, Chan Weng Kit remarked that the Wushu General Association of Macau undertaking the IWUF Sanda World Cup for the first time, fully reflects the IWUFs high recognition of Macau’s event-hosting capacity, as well as Macau’s international standing as a "City of Sports." On behalf of the Wushu General Association of Macau, he extended sincere gratitude to the IWUF, the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, all sponsors and all staff involved in event preparation. Special thanks were given to Quanmin Youshenghuo, and SJM Resorts, S.A. for their strong support. As Macau’s first ever hosting of a top-tier international individual wushu discipline (sanda), it bears great significance. It will not only facilitate the further internationalization and global popularization of wushu, but also leverage Macao’s cultural and tourism resources to drive integrated development of sports, culture and tourism, injecting new connotations into Macau’s sports industry and urban brand building.
Leong Chong Leng elaborated on the event preparation progress at the conference. The official competition days are scheduled from May 13 to 15. Competitions on May 13 and 14 will run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., while matches on May 15 will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., spanning five competition sessions in total. The event features 17 weight categories, including 11 men’s divisions and 6 women’s divisions. Up to now, nearly 60 world-class sanda athletes from 21 countries and regions have registered for the event. Together with team leaders, coaches, entourages, judges and working staff, the overall participant scale exceeds 200 people. He noted that all preparatory work is largely completed. The Organizing Committee has equipped competition and training venues in full compliance with IWUF standards, with match scheduling, doping control, on-site medical support and other logistics fully finalized. Eighteen international referees will complete unified pre-tournament training to ensure professional, consistent and standardized officiating. A dedicated team arranged by the Organizing Committee will provide comprehensive logistical support including interpretation, on-site guidance, venue management, as well as accommodation, catering and transportation for all delegations, allowing athletes to fully focus on training and competition. Members of the Organizing Committee will go all out to ensure the complete success of the World Cup with the highest standards and most thoughtful services. Members of the public and tourists from all over are warmly invited to watch the matches at Tap Seac Multi-sports Pavilion and experience the passion and charm of Sanda firsthand.
During the Q&A session, Mohammadreza shared his views on the global development of wushu sanda. He noted that in recent years, sanda has made remarkable progress in its international promotion, becoming an official discipline in major multi-sport events such as The World Games, the World Combat Games, the FISU World University Combat Games, the Asian Games, and the Islamic Solidarity Games. With the IWUF now boasting 162 member associations, an increasing number of countries and regions are establishing professional sanda teams. Furthermore, the implementation of the new 2025 wushu sanda competition rules and the introduction of heavyweight categories have steadily elevated both the competitive standard and the spectator appeal of the sport globally. Hosting this World Cup in Macao, China with its superior venues and organizational capabilities, will set a new benchmark for the tournament. This will not only inspire broader participation from more nations but also significantly drive the global development of sanda.
Regarding the line-up of the Macau team, Leong Chong Leng stated that Macau will send four elite athletes to compete: Liang Xuezhen, Chu Man Sin, Fong Chi Hin and Un Iat Wai, competing in the Women's 48kg and 60kg categories, as well as the Men's 70kg and 75kg divisions. The squad features a balanced mix of seasoned veterans known for their stability and promising young talents with strong attacking potential. By leveraging the home advantage, the team aims to provide its athletes—across different stages of their careers—with invaluable experience in a top-tier international competition.
Following the 2024 Asian Wushu Championships, this event marks another top-tier international wushu event hosted by Macao, China. It will further showcase the charm of wushu and the unique glamour of Macau to the world. All preparations are now fully ready. With an open attitude and great enthusiasm, Macau, the City of Golden Lotus, is ready to welcome global sanda elites to compete for top honors and shine on the arena.
