The 3rd Taolu World Cup Opening Ceremony
On the morning of October 26, 2024, the 3rd Taolu World Cup opened in Yokohama, Japan. Hosted by the International Wushu Federation and organized by the Japan Wushu Taijiquan Federation, this Taolu World Cup attracted more than 120 athletes from 27 countries and regions.
IWUF Vice Presidents Sherif Mostafa, Weng Kit Chan and Patrick Van Campenhout, Chen Zheng, Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Japan, Tania Tchea, IOC Sports Department Official, Zhang Qiuping, IWUF Secretary General, Ang Mong Seng, Treasurer, Wu Huabin, Sunny Tang, Stefan Kolev, members of the Executive Board, Zhang Yuping, Director of the Wushu Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sports of the People's Republic of China, Masaosu Kawasaki, Vice President and Executive Director of the Japan Wushu Taijiquan Federation, actress Chihiro Yamamoto, the event's image ambassador, Liu Xiaojin, representative of Hengyuanxiang, the IWUF’s global partner, and other leaders and guests attended the opening ceremony
The opening ceremony kicked off with the solemn melody of the national anthem of Japan and the anthem of the IWUF. IWUF Vice President Sherif Mostafa delivered a speech on behalf of the host. Katsunobu Kato, Minister of Finance of Japan and President of the Japan Wushu Taijiquan Federation, delivered a video speech representing the organizing committee. The event's image ambassador Chihiro Yamamoto rallied support for the athletes with her enthusiastic cheers.
（IWUF Vice-President , Sherif Mostafa, delivered a speech）
（Katsunobu Kato, Minister of Finance of Japan and Chairman of the Japan Wushu Taijiquan Federation, delivered a video speech）
Subsequently, two competitors, Mayaka Furukawa and Tomohiro Aratani from Japan, and two referees, Elizette Toledo from Chile and Roman Vlasenko from Latvia, took an oath took an oath on behalf of all athletes and officials. They pledged to uphold the principles of fairness and impartiality while committing to fully engage in the competition and their refereeing duties.
（The athlete's representative took the oath）
（The referee representatives took an oath）
After the oath-taking, the audience was treated to a stunning wushu performance, showcasing the artistry of the sport. Performed by professional athletes selected by the Japan Wushu Taijiquan Federation, the program was divided into four captivating chapters, highlighting key elements such as Taijiquan, Taijishan, and Taijijian. The performance seamlessly combined fluid movements, beautiful music, and impressive stage design, all woven into a compelling and emotional narrative. The spectacle earned enthusiastic applause from the audience, celebrating the charm and grace of wushu.
The Taolu World Cup, held every two years, is one of the six official events of the IWUF, and is the pinnacle stage for competition among the elite wushu taolu atheltes around the world. This year's Taolu World Cup features a total of 22 events for both female and male participants, with 22 gold medals up for grabs.
News on the first day of the 3rd Taolu World Cup
The 3rd Taolu World Cup Medal Table (as of October 26)
On the first day of the event, ten competitions were held: women's changquan, men's qiangshu, women's nandao, men's nangun, women's taijiquan, men's nandao, women's nangun, men's changquan, women's jianshu, and men's taijjijian, and 10 gold medals were produced.
Team China swept four gold medals, with Qingchun ZHANG winning the men’s qiangshu competition with a score of 9.800, Jianing WU taking the women’s nandao title with a score of 9.800, Bowen DU earning the men’s nandao gold with 9.800, and Yang YAO capturing the gold in the women’s jianshu event with a score of 9.796.Host nation Japan also showcased impressive strength, winning 2 golds, 3 silvers, and 1 bronze, placing second in the medal tally for now. Nanoha KIDA won the first gold of the event in the women’s changquan event with a score of 9.763, while Shiho SAITO took gold in women’s taijiquan with 9.790.
The Chinese Taipei team secured two gold medals, with Chang Min LIU winning the men’s nangun title with a score of 9.756, and Chia Hung SUN taking the men’s taijijian gold with 9.786.
Malaysia earned one gold medal as Cheong Min TAN took the women’s nangun title with a score of 9.770. Additionally, Chi Kuan SONG from Macau, China, won a gold medal in the men’s changquan event with a score of 9.796.
Top three of each event
Women’s changquan
Men’s Qiangshu
Women’s nandao
Men’s nangun
Women’s tajijiquan
Men’s nandao
Women’s nangun
Men’s changquan
Women’s jianshu
Men’s taijijian
Preview of tomorrow’s events
