Wushu Exponent Yong Xin Sets Her Sights On YOG 2026

NANTONG (China), Nov 4 (Bernama) -- National wushu backup exponent Kwan Yong Xin is aware that she has one last shot at competing in the 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Dakar, Senegal.

As such, the 16-year-old taiji exponent is determined to get cracking right away to ensure her performance will be at the highest level possible by the time the YOG come around.

“My target is to qualify for the 2026 YOG as it will be my first, and last, opportunity because the Games are for athletes aged 15 to 18 only.

“I have not been involved in the taiji discipline for a long time like others, so I need to reach a certain standard. During the (recent) World Junior Wushu Championships, I only finished fifth in the two taiji disciplines I competed in,” she said when met here today.

She said that she made the transition from the jiangshu and qianqshu disciplines to taiji at the age of 13 based on the advice of former national coach Loh Jack Chang, who felt that it suited her (Yong Xin).

Earlier, Yong Xin proved that she has come a long way in the taiji discipline when she clinched the gold medal in the women’s taijiquan event at the ASEAN-China Wushu Championships at the Nantong University here yesterday.

Yong Xin amassed 8,590 points to finish ahead of two other Singaporean exponents, who had 8,580 and 8,570 points respectively.

Malaysia also bagged two more gold medals on the first day of the championships through Sydney Chin Sy Xuan (women’s taijiquan) and Wong Zi Hong (men’s taijiquan).

-- BERNAMA