21st November 2023 – (Hong Kong) Leung Yu-hong, a Sanda martial artist from Hong Kong, accomplished a momentous feat on Monday by securing Hong Kong’s first-ever Sanda gold medal. The remarkable achievement took place during the final day of the 2023 World Wushu Championships held in Texas on November 20. In the highly anticipated 60kg men’s Sanda final, Leung faced off against his Vietnamese opponent, Nguyen Man Cuoug.
Throughout the competition, Leung showcased his exceptional skills and determination. He emerged victorious in the first three rounds, defeating opponents from Spain, South Korea, and Kyrgyzstan, without dropping a single round. Having progressed to the finals, Leung continued his impressive performance.
In the ultimate showdown, Leung demonstrated his dominance by securing a resounding victory over his Vietnamese rival, earning a flawless game score of 2:0. His outstanding performance not only secured him the gold medal but also marked Hong Kong’s first-ever gold medal in the Sanda event at the World Wushu Championships.
The success didn’t stop there for the Hong Kong team. In the women’s Duilian event, Hong Kong representatives Lydia Sham, Michelle Yeung, and He Jianxin showcased their exceptional skills and teamwork, earning a gold medal. Additionally, Michelle Yeung also claimed a bronze medal in the women’s Gunshu event, further adding to Hong Kong’s medal tally.
With a total of three gold, silver, and bronze medals, the Hong Kong team concluded the 2023 World Wushu Championships on a high note. Their remarkable performance secured them a fourth-place ranking on the overall medal table, surpassing Singapore and trailing behind Macao.
Meanwhile, the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, expressed his congratulations to Hong Kong’s athletes for their exceptional performances and accomplishments at the 16th World Wushu Championships. The Hong Kong, China delegation showcased their skills and determination, earning a total of nine medals, including three golds, three silvers, and three bronzes. Mr Yeung praised their outstanding display, noting that they represented the essence of martial arts on the international stage and shared inspiring stories of Hong Kong. He expressed pride and gratitude to the coaching and support team for their invaluable contributions. The championships, held from November 16 to 20 in Texas, witnessed remarkable achievements by Hong Kong’s representatives in various categories, with notable gold medalists including He Jianxin, Lydia Sham, Michelle Yeung, Lau Chi-lung, and Leung Yu-hong. The impressive medal haul reflects Hong Kong’s commitment to wushu and their ability to excel at the highest level of competition.