As one of the more popular and accomplished sports in the Sultanate, wushu has been known to make an impact while putting the country in the sporting map both in the regional and international circuit.
Recently, the country hosted the ninth edition of the World Junior Wushu Championships at a time where they have reached a peak with the athletes winning a flurry of medals in major competitions.
This event marks the second time in just five years that the Wushu Federation of Brunei Darussalam has successfully organised a significant competition, following the Asian Junior Wushu Championships in 2019.
Such accomplishments reflect not only the dedication of the federation but also the burgeoning talent pool within the nation.
A NEW GENERATION OF CHAMPIONS
At the forefront of this resurgence is Basma Lachkar, Brunei’s leading female wushu exponent. Making history with a silver medal at the Asian Games, she has since bolstered her accolades by clinching gold at the Asean University Games.
Her achievements inspire the next generation of athletes, proving that dedication and hard work can lead to international success.
The World Junior Championships, sanctioned by the International Wushu Federation (IWUF), showcased a fresh wave of talent. Young stars Meagan Marie Keasberry and Samuel Yong Jun Ong emerged victorious, claiming gold medals and further solidifying Brunei’s reputation in the sport.
These competitions not only highlight established athletes but also provide a platform for newcomers to shine.
Among the standout performers is Walid Lachkar, who has captured the public’s attention with his extraordinary performances. His breakout season culminated in a gold medal in daoshu, a victory that followed a successful outing at the Malaysian Games (SUKMA XXI) in Kuching, Sarawak.
With such an impressive track record, Walid is a strong contender for a podium finish at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand next year.
RISING STARS ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE
The tournament also unveiled new talents like Ching Hwa Chu, who secured silver in the Boy’s Taijijian ‘A’ event, and Wan Xin Lim, who achieved silver in the Girl’s Nandao ‘B’ event.
The world junior meet, often regarded as the premier competition for junior athletes, also saw Yee Sean Lim become a multi-medallist, bringing home bronze in the Girl’s Taijijian ‘A’ event.
Walid’s impressive haul, which includes a silver in the Boy’s Changquan ‘A’ event, underscores his status as one of the country’s most decorated performers.
Furthermore, Abel Wee Yuen Lim added to Brunei’s medal tally by winning bronze in the Boy’s Nandao ‘A’ event. The ongoing development of these young athletes is promising, especially with their inclusion in intensive training programmes in China, initiated in March 2023.
NAL PROWESS
Brunei recently showcased its capability to host international events through the first-ever Brunei International Wushu Championships, held from May 3 to 5. The success of this tournament highlighted the nation’s ability to manage events on both national and international levels.
It also played a crucial role in enhancing the competency of local wushu judges and technical staff, preparing them for future competitions while promoting wushu across the Sultanate.
With the participation of international teams, including the Australia Wushu Team, Wen Zhou Yi Tao Quan from China, and Wushu Aceh from Indonesia, the championship provided a valuable learning opportunity for local organisers.
This exposure to international standards will be invaluable as Brunei continues to host large-scale tournaments.
In the inaugural edition, Brunei emerged as the overall winners, achieving an impressive haul of 29 gold, 13 silver, and 13 bronze medals.
The Australia Wushu Team claimed second place with 13 gold, six silver and six bronze, while the Wushu Sport Academy from Malaysia secured third place with nine gold, seven silver and two bronze.
BRIGHT FUTURE FOR BRUNEI’S WUSHU ATHLETES
Since the establishment of the Wushu Federation of Brunei Darussalam 21 years ago, the nation has experienced significant success on both regional and global stages, inspired by pioneering athletes such as Faustina Woo and Lee Ying Shi.
The federation’s commitment to nurturing talent continues to bear fruit, with athletes like Mohamad Adi Salihin bin Roslan emerging as the nation’s most decorated athlete in the SEA Games.
As Brunei embraces the future, the burgeoning success of its wushu athletes not only highlights their individual talents but also the collective potential of the sport within the Sultanate.
With the dedication of the federation and the commitment of these young athletes, wushu is set to flourish, marking Brunei as a rising star on the global sports stage. – Fadhil Yunus
