WWC2017: first medals contested on day 1

First medallists were determined in the men’s Changquan and women’s Changquan and Taijijian events on the first competition day of the World Wushu Championships 2017 in Kazan. 

Taolu refers to the set routine practice component of wushu. Taolu routines comprise of a continuously connected set of pre-determined techniques, choreographed according to certain principles and philosophies, which incorporate techniques and stylistic principles of attack and defense. These include hand techniques, leg techniques, jumps, sweeps, stances and footwork, seizing, throwing and wrestling, balances, etc. They have a rich and diverse content utilising a wide variety of techniques and include both bare-handed routines and those performed with weapons.

At official World Wushu Championships, the main taolu event categories include: Changquan (Long Fist), Nanquan (Southern Fist), Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan), Taijijian (Tai Chi Straight sword), Daoshu (Broadsword), Jianshu (Straight sword), Gunshu (Cudgel), Qiangshu (Spear), Nandao (Southern Broadsword), Nangun (Southern Cudgel), Duilian (Choreographed Sparring/Duel), Baguazhang (Eight Trigrams Palm), Shuang Jian (Double Straight Swords), Chun Qiu Da Dao (Spring & Autumn Halberd), Xingyi Quan (Shape & Intent Fist). 

Men’s Changquan

Changquan is defined by open and long-range strikes, and a wide variety of leg techniques and circular motions. Changquan utilises open and expanded postures, high-speed techniques as well as many aerial and acrobatic techniques. It is a fast, dynamic and exciting style, incorporating many breathtaking movements, and spectators who came to the Gymnastics Centre could see this action with their own eyes.

China’s Zhizhao CHANG won gold in the men’s Changquan event, Russia’s Pavel MURATOV rounded out the podium in third.

1. Zhizhao CHANG (CHN) – 9,70

2. Achmad HULAEFI (INA) – 9,64

3. Pavel MURATOV (RUS) – 9,63

“Surely, I’m very happy with my performance. And I’m especially happy that I won a medal at the home tournament. Before the championships, I was not sure that I can get a podium spot at all because the style is very complicated and there are many strong competitors here. But I managed to execute my routine flawlessly and I succeeded,” Pavel Muratov said after the event.

Women's Changquan

In the women’s Changquan event, the first place was earned by Xue WANG of China.

1. Xue WANG (CHN) – 9,68

2. Xuxu LIU (HKG) – 9,66

3. Yi LI (MAC) – 9,64

Women's Taijijian

Taijijian is the most widely practiced and popular martial art in the world today. It is characterised by its slow and graceful motions and its combination of both hard and soft techniques. Taijijian is defined by slow motions, coupled at times with explosive bursts of force, which require total harmony of motion and breath, concentration and coordination of the entire body and spirit in a continuous practice. 

Female athletes from Hong Kong, Vietnam and Japan reigned supreme in the women’s Taijijian event, not giving other competitors much of a chance. 

1. Suijin CHEN (HKG) – 9,68

2. Khanh Ly TRAN THI (VIE) – 9,55

3. Shiho SAITO (JPN) – 9,53