World Junior Wushu Championships Facts for Kids

The World Junior Wushu Championships (WJWC) is a big international competition for young people who practice wushu. Wushu is a type of Chinese martial arts. The International Wushu Federation (IWUF) organizes this event for athletes who are under 18 years old.

In the championships, there are two main types of events:

Taolu: This is like gymnastics or martial arts forms. Athletes perform routines with cool moves, jumps, and sometimes weapons. There are three different age groups for Taolu.
Sanda: This is a full-contact fighting sport, similar to kickboxing, but with throws.

Where the Championships Have Been Held
A Look Back at the WJWC
- Taolu Events and Age Groups
See also

Where the Championships Have Been Held

The World Junior Wushu Championships happen every two years. Different cities around the world get to host this exciting event.

The very first championships were held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2006.
Since then, countries like Indonesia, Singapore, Turkey, Brazil, and others have hosted the event.
The championships planned for 2020 in Rabat, Morocco, had to be cancelled.

A Look Back at the WJWC

The championships have grown and changed over the years to make sure they are fair and fun for all young athletes.

Taolu Events and Age Groups

For the Taolu events, athletes are divided into different age groups. This helps make sure everyone competes against others their own age and skill level.

Group A: Older Juniors

This group has been part of the championships since the very beginning in 2006.
Originally, it was for athletes aged 16 to 18.
In 2019, the age range changed to 15 to 17 years old.
For many years, Group A athletes had to perform special "compulsory routines." These are set routines that everyone learns.
Later, they were allowed to perform "optional routines." This means they could create their own routines, showing off their unique skills.

Wushu and the Youth Olympics

Wushu was a special "demonstration sport" at the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China. This means it was shown to a wider audience, but medals didn't count towards the official medal tally.
Top athletes from Group A at the 2014 World Junior Wushu Championships had a chance to compete there.
Wushu is also planned to be part of the 2022 Summer Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal, which has been moved to 2026.

Group B: Middle Juniors

This group also started in 2006.
It was first for athletes aged 13 to 15.
In 2019, the age range for Group B changed to 12 to 14 years old.
Athletes in Group B have always used the IWUF's first set of compulsory routines.

Group C: Younger Juniors

This group was added in 2008 to include even younger athletes.
It started for ages 9 to 12.
In 2019, the age range for Group C changed to 7 to 11 years old.
Group C athletes always perform the IWUF's "elementary routines," which are simpler and great for beginners.

World Junior Wushu Championships facts for kids

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