World Wushu Championships kicks off in Malaysia

Students demonstrate Wushu skills in Dengfeng, Henan province, Oct 12, 2013. [Photo by Gao Shanyue/Asianewsphoto]

KUALA LUMPUR - The 12th World Wushu Championships kicked off its competitions here on Friday as Wushu athletes gathered in the Malaysian capital to show off their Kungfu skills.

Themed "Wushu for All", the five-day event is expected to see participants from 80 countries and regions competing for 48 golds offered in three disciplines - Taolu (barehands and weapons), Sanda (Chinese boxing) and Duilian (duel event).

Malaysia is hosting the World Wushu Championships for the second time after the second edition of the event in Kota Kinabalu in 1993.

Wushu has failed its bid to be included in the 2020 summer Olympics in Tokyo but it is getting into the Youth Olympic Games to be held in Nanjing, China next year.