Young wushu fighters prove they have mettle
They're promising but need to hone skills and gain further exposure
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After watching their seniors win a clutch of SEA Games and Asian Games medals over the years, Singapore's young wushu warriors have a lot to live up to.
But winning is already a habit for the country's new generation of Chinese martial arts exponents, who fought their way to unexpected success at the recent World Junior Championships in Macau.
Their haul from the biennial tournament: three golds, four silvers and three bronzes. This was Singapore's best return since the event started in 2006, a tally beaten only when the championships were held here in 2010. This year's event featured about 600 competitors from 40 nations.
Although superpowers China did not feature in the events that earned medals for Singapore, the future looks bright for the Republic's 11-member youth squad.
Background story
BRIMMING WITH POTENTIAL
Most of them were taking part in their first major competition, so it was natural that they showed nerves. They still need work on their basic techniques and need more exposure at major competitions, but this is a group that has the potential to perform at the senior level.
- National junior wushu coach Tang Ning is full of praise for his young proteges, who bagged 10 medals in all at the World Junior Championships
The Medallist
GOLD (3)
- Samuel Tan: Boys' Group A taijiquan
- Vera Tan: Girls' Gp B taijiquan
- Jowen Lim: Boys' Gp B cudgel
SILVER (4)
- Samuel Tan: Boys' Gp A taijijian
- Abel Tan: Boys' Gp A broadsword
- Jowen Lim: Boys' Gp B changquan
- Vera Tan: Girls' Gp B taijijian
BRONZE (3)
- Fung Hui Xin: Girls' Gp B changquan and sword
- Ong Li Cheng: Girls' Gp C sword
Gp A: 16-18 years
Gp B: 13-15 years
Gp C: 10-12 years
