WWC2017: China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Hong Kong top podium on day 3

Day 3 of the Championships featured more victories for the athletes from China, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Hong Kong.

Taolu

Men's Jianshu

Jianshu is one of the most widely practiced short bladed weapons in Chinese history; its influence goes beyond the realm of Wushu (martial arts) and has deep cultural connotations. It is a double-edged straight bladed sword and its practice is characterized by graceful, elegant, brisk, agile and naturally flowing motions.  It focuses on a harmonious balance between hard and soft techniques with variable and flexible changes in speed. Its primary techniques include thrusting, pointing, tilting, shearing and sweeping combined with intricate footwork, and flexible body work. Categorized within the 'Changquan' (northern) stylistic grouping, jianshu is likened to a flying phoenix.

This event brought two medals to Team Malaysia. Weng Son WONG, silver medallist of the previous championships, confidently topped the podium. His compatriot Wai Kin YEAP settled for bronze.

1. Weng Son WONG (MAS)

2. Hasung LEE (KOR)

3.Wai Kin YEAP (MAS)

Men's Nanquan

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.  It is a fierce and powerful style whose practitioners exude a strong spirit. 

Chinese competitor Jianming LI added one more gold medal to his team's haul. Wai Keong CHIO from Macao, 2015 world wushu champion, took an early lead at first, but Jianming LI's performance changed the tables.

1. Jianming LI (CHN)

2. Wai Keong CHIO (MAC)

3. Quoc Khanh PHAM (VIE)

Women's Nangun

Nangun is the collective term given for all the different types of cudgel styles which have originated in and are practiced in the southern parts of China such as the 'Double Headed Cudgel', and 'Single Headed Cudgel' as well as techniques from other southern 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. 

Chinese competitor Jianxin HE performed first and build up an early lead earning a score no other athlete could catch up with. Tatyana IVSHINA from Russia missed the competition due to a minor injury.

1. Jianxin HE (HKG)

2. Juwita Niza WASNI (INA)

3. Cheong Min TAN (MAS)

Women's Taijiquan

The most widely practiced and popular martial art in the world today, Taijiquan is characterised by its slow and graceful motions and its combination of both hard and soft techniques. Taijiquan comprises well-known styles including Chen, Yang, Wu, Sun and Wu (Hao), and is popular due to its health building and longevity benefits. Taijiquan is defined by slow motions, coupled at times with explosive bursts of force, which require total harmony of motion and breath, concentration and co-ordination of the entire body and spirit in a continuous practice. 

Lindswell LINDSWELL from Indonesia confidently topped the podium and earned her 5th world champion title and 3rd title in this event.

1. Lindswell LINDSWELL (INA)

2. Khanh Ly TRAN THI (VIE)

3. Shiho SAITO (JPN)

"I'm deliriously happy to earn gold at this Championships. I had some injuries, took a pause but still managed to win. This is my last championships. Happy to wrap up my career this way," said  Lindswell.

You can find the results of the competitions here.