Wushu
In 1990 at the Beijing Asian Games, Wushu was competed for the very first time at the Asian Games. At that platform the International Wushu Federation (IWUF) laid down standardized tournament rules and regulations and introduced to world the international Wushu events for “Taolu” (Set Routine), “Sanshou” (Combat Sparring) and “Tuishou”(Taiji Pushing Hands). This changed the facet of promotion and development of Chinese martial arts on an international arena. Current fervent efforts by IWUF to put Wushu in the Beijing 2008 Olympics augur well for the promotion of the sport.
Wushu is a regular fixture in the Malaysian tournament calendar being competed at State and National levels and Malaysian Games (SUKMA). In Malaysia, the national governing body for Wushu is the Wushu Federation of Malaysia headed by Datuk Seri Kee Yong Wee as President. Internationally, Wushu features regularly in the SEA Games, Asian Games apart from IWUF`s own regional and World Championship and Asian Junior Championship.
As a state level affiliate, CMAA plays an active role in promoting Wushu especially the “Taolu”events at the moment, namely the IWUF International First Set, Second Set and Junior Set Routines.
CMAA chairman Chester Lim with more than fifteen years experience in managing high performance sports training programmes had the opportunity to learn from China Wushu personalities like Master Zhang Fu Yun (Shanghai), Master Peng Ying (Chengdu), Master Zhao Kelun (Chengdu), Master Feng Jing Mei (Shihziazuang) and Master Ron Khor (Melbourne) on management of high performance training and recreational programmes for wushu.
CMAA wushu coaches, Kuching Centre of Excellence coach Kam Huoh Haw and Sarawak State Sport Council development coach Calvin Kong had understudied Master Peng Ying for two and a half years when Peng Ying was attached to Sarawak as its foreign coach from 2000 to 2003. Master Peng Ying holds an illustrious track record as China’s Wushu star and listed in the “2003 China’s Who’s Who”. Master Peng Ying’s stint with Sarawak had positive impact on those who had cooperated with her.
Both Kam and Kong hold International Wushu Federation accredited certificates having attended the 2002 Shanghai International Wushu Coaches Training Course organized by the International Wushu Federation and China Wushu Federation. They have also attained the National Sports Council Sport Science Level I certificates and were state and national champions of their own right when they were athletes.
The achievements of CMAA wushu athletes as well as those of associate affiliates who had worked with those personalities speak volumes of the potential of such cooperation in implementing wushu high performance training programmes.
CMAA wushu exponents Thian Ai Ling, Yap Foo Ming, Pui Show Ping, Irene Wong Mei Jing, Kueh Sze June, Yap Yik Kim, Joyce Teo, Goh Xiao Rou, Jap Tsiao Tding, Goh Xiao Xi, Lau Cheng Chen, Joanne Teo, Tan Boon Kheng and Russell Lim Jian Liang had won much honours at state, national up to international level tournaments. Several junior exponents are expected to make impact on the national scene by 2005 if they sustain their training programmes.
Off the competition arena, CMAA exponents are equally formidable. In 2002, Irene Wong Mei Jin was selected as “Our Star, Our Pride”athlete by the Ministry of Social Development & Urbanization.
Indeed Irene`s excellent performance in studies and her exploits in the Malaysian Wushu scene justify the recognition proving that straight A`s in school and sports excellence can mix.
And it is not all competition and competition. CMAA is also conducting recreational Taijiquan classes for adults. Recreational Mulanquan and Mulanshan are scheduled to commence soon.
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