On Friday night in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 21-year-old Wushu athlete Lu Zhuoling made history by securing the Chinese mainland's first gold at the 2025 Chengdu World Games. Her mastery of Taijiquan-Taijijian routines captivated judges and fans alike, marking a milestone for both her career and the sport.
In the morning session, Lu scored 9.796 points in Taijiquan to top the standings. Later that day, she delivered a strong Taijijian performance, earning third place and combining for a total of 19.522 points. Singapore's Zeanne Law claimed silver with 19.430 points, while Chin Sy Xuan Sydney of Malaysia took bronze at 19.410.
Reflecting on her victory, Lu exclaimed, "This gold medal is the best birthday gift I could ask for," as she looks forward to turning 22 on August 22. "Before going on stage, I was actually a bit nervous. But I performed as expected, similar to my usual training level. I'm grateful for the support and encouragement from the audience."
Wushu, also known as kung fu, traces its roots to ancient Chinese martial traditions and continues to grow in popularity around the world. The Taijiquan-Taijijian combined routines challenge athletes to blend fluid, meditative movements with precise weapon handling. Judges award the podium based on the highest combined score from both routines.
Looking ahead, Lu expressed confidence in Wushu's future: "Whether in the Chinese mainland or other countries, more and more young people are practicing Wushu. I believe Wushu will definitely make it to the Olympic stage one day."
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Wushu athlete Lu Zhuoling wins China's 1st gold at Chengdu World Games
cgtn.com
