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Top-class athletes of the Chinese National Wushu Team gave the first of a series of four open demonstrations in Hong Kong today (March 9) at Wai Tsuen Indoor Recreation Centre.
Led by their team leader, Chen Huoxiang, and coach, Gu Bo, the four wushu experts were Chen Min, 1999 and 2000 Chinese National wushu competitions silver medallist (various items); Mao Yaqi, 2000 Chinese National Wushu Competition silver medallist (various items) and 2000 Chinese National Wushu Championships silver medallist (cudgelplay); Lu Yixin, 2000 Chinese National Wushu Competitions bronze medallist (groups) and Xu Lei, 2000 Chinese Nationals Wushu Youth Competitions gold medallist (set sparring) and silver medallist (groups).
A spokesman for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LSCD) said today (March 9):"The four wushu demonstrations form part of the 2001/2002 Healthy Exercise for All Campaign jointly organised by LCSD and the Department of Health and is co-organised by the Hong Kong Wushu Union.
"The visiting athletes were joined by local wushu "stars" like Li Fai, Lo Nga-ching, Angie Tsang, Cheng Ka-ho, Cheung Man-keung, To Yu-hang, Cheng Kwok-yeung, Chan Siu-kit and Lam Chung-wai, as well as performers from various district wushu associations."
He said that their demonstrations included skills at barehanded routines, broadswordplay, spearplay, swordplay, cudgelplay and set sparring.
"Wushu is the last of the four roving sports demonstrations of the 2001/2002 Healthy Exercise for All Campaign, following fencing, badminton and table tennis," the spokesman added.
"The other three roving wushu demonstrations will be held at Choi Hung Road Indoor Games Hall, Tai Po Indoor Recreation Centre and Hong Kong Park Indoor Games Hall. All free admission tickets were given out within a couple of days."
The spokesman said that the visiting Chinese wushu experts would also perform in front of more than 1,200 primary and secondary students at Islamic Kasim Tuet Memorial College, Tseung Kwan O Sports Centre and Shanghai Alumni Primary School on March 11 and 12.
Wushu demands a high degree of agility and is particularly suitable for the physique of the Asians. The Hong Kong Wushu Team has achieved outstanding results at various international events in recent years.
To further promote the sport of wushu in the territory, LCSD will organise a series of wushu training courses for children aged from six to 14 in the year 2002/2003.
The training courses will commence between March and June in Central & Western District, Shatin District, Eastern District and Sai Kung District. More courses in other districts will be organised to provide professional training for teenagers.
Announcements will be made by the respective leisure services offices. Details of the courses can be obtained via fax by calling LCSD's hotline at 2603 4567 or from the Department's website at http://www.lcsd.gov.hk.
End/Saturday, March 9, 2002
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