WWC2017: four taolu gold medallists determined on day 2

Four more sets of medals in the men’s and women’s taolu events were up for grabs on the second competition day of the World Wushu Championships 2017 in Kazan.

Taolu 

Men's Daoushu

Daoshu features a set of pre-determined techniques featuring a single-edged curved blade. Its practice is characterised by vigorous attack and defensive techniques. Its fierce and powerful movements primarily utilise wrapping and entwining techniques with relentless hacking, upper-cutting, slashing, blocking, thrusting and circling. Its performance requires great strength and co-ordination between the practitioner’s body and the weapon. Categorised within the ‘Changquan’ stylistic grouping, daoshu is likened to a fierce tiger.

In the men’s Daoshu event, Zhifeng LI of China earned gold, beating the second-place finisher by 0.04 points. Ilias KHUSNUTDINOV showed the best result among Russian competitors, settling for the eighth spot. 

1. Zhifeng LI (CHN) – 9,72

2. Edgar Xavier MARVELO (INA) – 9.68

3. Si Wei Jowen LIM (SGP) – 9,65

… 8. Ilias KHUSNUTDINOV (RUS) –  9.55

“I made one small mistake that cost me 0.1 points. If it hadn't for this mistake, I would have won a medal,” Ilias explained after his routine.

Men's Nangun

Nangun is the collective term given for all the different types of cudgel styles. With a rich and practical content, which includes varied techniques, a fast-paced rhythm nangun fully embodies and displays the characteristics and spirit of southern cudgel styles by utilising double handed techniques, with natural extension and withdrawal methods and devastating applications. Its techniques are clear, accurate and exact accompanied by vocal articulation.

Po Wei LAI of Chinese Taipei topped the podium in the men’s Nangun event.

1. Po Wei LAI (TPE) – 9,65

2. Mun Hua HO (MAS) – 9,63

3. Yongmun LEE (KOR) – 9,61 

Women's nanquan

Nanquan comprises styles that originated and are popular in the southern geographic areas of China (south of the Yangze River). Nanquan is defined by low stances with fewer leg techniques and a focus on short, powerful arm strikes often accompanied by vocal articulation. Focusing on a solid stance and stability, Nanquan has relatively fewer acrobatic techniques, but rather concentrates on generating extremely powerful techniques with intricate and highly developed hand techniques. 

Just like two years before, China’s Huiying CHEN claimed the title in the women's Nanquan event. She was followed by Tatiana IVSHINA who added second medal to Team Russia’s haul at the World Wushu Championships in Kazan.

1. Huiying CHEN (CHN) – 9,69

2. Tatiana IVSHINA (RUS) – 9,65

3. Jianxin HE (HKG) – 9,62

Women’s Qiangshu

Qiangshu comprises techniques featuring a spear. Its practice is characterised by agile footwork, flexible body work, smooth transitions, fast and precise techniques, with both short and long range techniques. While its core technique is thrusting, it also includes coiling, circling, circular blocking as well as slamming movements. The spear requires unity between the body and the weapon, and relies on force generated from the entire body. Qiangshu is likened to a soaring dragon. 

In the women’s Qiangshu event, victory was earned by a Vietnamese athlete, Thuy Vi DUONG, who claimed the first medal for her national team.

1. Thuy Vi DUONG (VIE) – 9.64

2. Heeju SEO (KOR) – 9,63

3. Keiko YAMAGUCHI (JPN) – 9,56 

The struggle for medals continues in the men’s and women’s sanda events. For detailed results in different weight categories, please click here.   

The World Wushu Championships will run until October 3. The tounrmant takes place at the Gymnastic Centre.