Wushu Olympics debut inspires Kenyans

On an open patch of ground beside a social hall in Kiambu County, north of Nairobi, about dozens of children punch, kick and hold their stances as their coach calls out instructions.

"As we train, there is changquan (long fist), there is daoshu (broadsword), and gunshu (staff)," said Ngaruiya Njonge, president of the Kenya Kungfu Wushu Federation. "Also tai chi. There are a lot, actually."

Wushu, a Chinese martial art gradually gaining popularity in Kenya, is spreading from a small circle of practitioners to public schools and clubs across the country.

The sport marked a milestone at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, where it made its debut as an official medal sport.

Held from Sunday to Tuesday, the competition brought together 47 athletes from 46 countries.

In a country where, as Njonge put it, "many people know about only football", the growing interest in wushu is creating new opportunities for young people to explore a different sporting discipline.

For some, the attraction begins with martial arts films featuring renowned Chinese action movie stars such as Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Donnie Yen.

"We are impressed by their movies. Most of the kids admire them and want to learn kung fu," said Kennedy Murimi, a coach at Dagoretti Kungfu Club affiliated with the Kenya Kungfu Wushu Federation.

Wushu's development in Kenya largely began with a small group of students introduced to kung fu by a Chinese master known as Muhir, who later left the country for Dubai, Murimi said.