The day after a historic Opening Ceremony celebrating Senegalese culture at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium, Chinese traditions took centre stage at the Dakar Exhibition Centre on Sunday, 1 November.
The first day of Dakar 2026 was marked by the start of the wushu competitions, with the discipline making its Olympic programme debut at these Youth Olympic Games. And it was impossible to miss this historic occasion.
At a venue where judokas and table tennis players could also be seen, traditional Chinese music echoed through the corridors.
The sound came from Pavilion C, where the stands were packed with spectators eager to witness an unprecedented moment in wushu’s long history. The traditional Chinese martial art had taken over the venue for three days of competition, promising a spectacular display. The show even began before the events themselves, with a highly ceremonial introduction of the athletes lighting up the competition mat.
In both Changquan Combined and Taijiquan Combined, the two events on the programme, there were no national team uniforms, but instead brightly coloured costumes, often adorned with shimmering details.
“The costumes are personal to each athlete. Everyone can choose their own design. But this one wasn’t actually my choice. It belonged to a friend who was also at my club. She stopped practising wushu, so she gave me her costume, and that’s the one I’m wearing. I’ve been wearing the same costume for four years now, so it means a lot to me,” explained French athlete Lisa Lo.
The costumes may spark curiosity, but it is the athletes’ physical performances that truly captivate the audience. During these breathtaking displays, each Changquan routine is punctuated by the sound of breathing and strikes delivered with remarkable agility. In Taijiquan, music accompanies slower, more controlled movements that are just as spectacular, particularly when large fans are incorporated into the routines.
Men’s Changquan, Women’s Taijishan – Wushu | Dakar 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games
Watch the Men’s Changquan, Women’s Taijishan at the Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal
Dakar 2026 introduces world to spirit and values of wushu
It was in the latter event that Senegal’s Woreye Ndiaye made her mark.
“For me, it’s a great honour to represent my country and to have stepped onto the mat to represent Senegal,” she said after a performance cheered on by the crowd. The occasion was particularly special for her, but also for an entire country and the wider wushu community.
Hosting the Youth Olympic Games is seen as an opportunity to improve “the technique of Senegalese wushu,” added her coach, Ousmane Sakho.
While Senegalese athletes have used Dakar 2026 as an opportunity to develop their skills, the same is true of competitors from other countries. All the participants prepared intensively for this event, with several even attending training camps in the People’s Republic of China.
Those months of hard work were rewarded the moment they stepped onto the mat and began competing in an environment unlike anything they had experienced before.
“When I started, I never imagined I would compete in an Olympic event. It was a hobby for me, something I did for fun, so it’s surreal to be here today,” admitted Sweden’s Vincent Olsson.
As these young wushu athletes discover a whole new world, the eyes of the world are now turning towards their sport. Even at such a young age, some already understand the significance of this opportunity.
“I want to share the spirit of wushu and its values with people around the world so they can learn more about wushu,” explained Lin Yilei, who led the Changquan standings after the preliminary round. Like all the other competitors in the event, he needed a few minutes to catch his breath afterwards, a reminder that every performance is as physically demanding as it is artistic.
As the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games shine an unprecedented spotlight on wushu, Canada’s Miranda Wei knows exactly what she hopes people will take away from this historic Olympic debut.
“Wushu isn’t just a sport. It’s a discipline with so much artistry and history.”
