Kung Fu Wushu Victoria hosted the 2018 Oceania Kung Fu Wushu Championships on Sunday, 21 October. Over 150 competitors from all over Australia as well as from New Zealand came to compete, in categories for kung fu, contemporary wushu, sanda full-contact fighting, tai chi and duel and group routines.

The action-packed day began with an exciting dragon dance that got the attention of everyone – spectators, judges and officials, and athletes, young and old. The dragon marched the officials onto the arenas and then it was time to perform. Athletes from as far as New Zealand, Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia joined forces with their Victorian hosts to provide a spectacle of colour, action and excitement.

Mr Glen Keith, Senior Vice President of the Oceania Kung Fu Wushu Federation and Cr Sean O’Reilly of the local Dandenong City Council kicked off the competition with some welcoming speeches.

A contingent from the Melbourne promoters of Wu Lin Feng, the international sanda fighting circuit that showcases sanda all over the world was also on hand, to support the sanda fighters on the day, as well as to give out some free tickets to their upcoming Melbourne contest in November to some of the winning sanda competitors at the Championships.

Wu Lin Feng is the most watched martial arts TV channel in China, and sponsors sanda competitions worldwide.

Mr Bingchen Ye, Secretary General of Kung Fu Wushu South Australia, also set up a signature wall, whereby athletes, officials, spectators and other supporters were encouraged to sign a petition in support for getting Kung Fu/Wushu into the Olympics.

The 2018 Oceania Kung Fu Wushu Championships was a long and full day of martial arts action and competition. See some of the highlights of the event in the gallery below.

What a fantastic event had by all. Those who attended the event came from far and wide across the state. The level of attendance and competitors was up from the 2016 Victorian Championships, which goes to show that Kungfu, Wushu and Sanda are growing at a remarkable pace in Victoria.

This year we saw several athletes competing in dual and group events. Also, a number of new comers and Australian National team members competing, gaining experience and preparing for future National and international events.  

Not to be out done by Kung Fu and wushu, the Sanda competition was intense.  Athletes boys and girls as young as 8 years old, were sparring giving their all.  

People across the hall were shouting, giving their support to the competitors.  The lively stadium and cheering made the event.

Final Results can be viewed here: 2018 Championship Results 

Photos from the Championship can be seen below (may take a moment to load):

The 2018 Victorian Kung Fu Championships will be held on Sunday, 1 July at Springers Leisure Centre, 400 Cheltenham Road, Keysborough.

Competitors from both KWV and non-KWV member schools are welcome to participate. There will be events for wushu and kung fu taolu, tai chi and sanda (both controlled and full-contact). And for the first time in the Victorian championships, we’ll be having a push hands competition for tai chi enthusiasts. 

All details and forms on the rules and regulations can be downloaded here: 2018 Vic State.

Registration is to be done online only, at: www.2018kwvstate.eventbrite.com.au and must be completed no later than Friday, 1 June 2018. Fees for competitors can be found on the forms above; spectators are $10 per person, which can be bought on the day at the door.

Look forward to seeing you there!