World’s Top Athletes Compete at 10th IWUF Sanda World Cup

JIANGYIN, China, April 7 (Xinhua) — The 10th International Wushu Federation (IWUF) Sanda World Cup commenced on Monday in Jiangyin, a city in east China’s Jiangsu Province. The three-day event features nearly 200 athletes, coaches, and officials from 26 countries and regions, reaffirming Jiangyin’s status as a global hub for martial arts following the successful 2024 International Wushu Invitational Tournament.

IWUF Vice President Wu Tinggui remarked on the significance of the event, stating, “The 10th Sanda World Cup has brought together the world’s top athletes, symbolizing the perfect fusion of martial heritage and competitive spirit.”

Team China is represented by seven athletes, including three women and four men. Among them is Ye Xiang, a heavyweight fighter competing in his third Sanda World Cup. Ye expressed his determination, saying, “Sanda is a symbol of Chinese strength and spirit; we must keep improving as the foreign athletes are catching up rapidly.”

Making his debut in the Sanda World Cup, Australia’s first-ever Sanda world champion, Michael Woodward, will compete in the 85kg category on Wednesday. “It was my second time competing in China, following my first participation in the 15th World Wushu Championships held in Shanghai in 2019, which marked my debut on the world Sanda stage. It was an incredible experience,” Woodward said.

He continued, “I’m thrilled to be back in China. The venues here are amazing, like the Colosseum. My goal aligns with everyone else’s here — to fight for the gold medal.”

This year’s event not only showcases high-level martial arts competition but also highlights the growing international interest and participation in Sanda, enhancing cultural exchanges through sport.