SAWF hosts National and Open Championships and Trials
The tournament's goal was to give South African athletes a chance to compete in the trials that serve as the foundation for national team selection.
On Saturday, September 10, the South African Wushu Federation (SAWF) held its National and Open Wushu Championship and Trials.
Athletes from various provinces, as well as neighbouring African countries such as Botswana and Zimbabwe, competed in both Taolu (fast-paced, choreographed movements) and Taijiquan (traditional Chinese martial arts) (slow, systemised movements aimed at health and well-being).
The tournament’s goal was to give South African athletes a chance to compete in the trials that serve as the foundation for national team selection.
Also read: https://www.citizen.co.za/roodepoort-record/2022/08/27/wushu-athletes-go-big-for-brics/
Athletes selected for the National Wushu Team are eligible to represent South Africa in a variety of international competitions, such as the upcoming World Kungfu Championships which is to be hosted by China in 2023.
The event also provided a venue for Wushu practitioners from across Southern Africa to come together for the first time since the pandemic to share their passion for the sport.
The tournament, according to SAWF president Jurgens Lamprecht, was the ideal opportunity for everyone to celebrate the sport and art of Kung-fu.
The SAWF was established in 2002 as the governing body for all Chinese Martial Arts – also known as Wushu or Kung-fu in South Africa. It became a full member of the International Wushu Federation (IWUF) in 2003. Various sporting bodies, including the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee, the African Wushu Kung-Fu Federation and the IWUF recognise the SAWF as a national federation.
The SAWF is recognised by the International Olympic Committee and SportAccord, among others, as a result of these affiliations. In addition, the SAWF collaborates closely with the Chinese Wushu Association and is recognised by both the Chinese National Olympic Committee and the Chinese Ministry of Sport. The SAWF’s role is to facilitate, coordinate, and oversee the national administration, growth, and development of Wushu in South Africa, as well as to promote its members’ interests.
