Singapore's wushu exponents shine on home soil with five golds at World Taijiquan Championships

SINGAPORE: Having competed at six Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, three Asian Games and other international meets, wushu exponent Vera Tan is no stranger to top-level competition.

But the 4th World Taijiquan Championships was one that the 26-year-old had been looking forward to and it will be one she remembers for some time to come. 

Tan clinched two of Singapore's five golds – women’s optional taijijian and new yang style taijiquan – at the meet. She also took bronze in the optional taijiquan earlier in the competition, which was held at the OCBC Arena from Aug 24 to Aug 27.

"I ... did not expect a medal haul like this. It's something to be happy about," she told CNA on Tuesday (Aug 27).

It was at the same meet about 10 years ago when Tan also won a gold medal in the optional taijiquan event.

"The last edition was supposed to be actually in 2020 ... COVID hit so this was postponed all the way to 2024. I've been really looking forward to it, and I'm glad I managed to pull it off," Tan said.

Rising star Zeanne Law, 18, won golds in the women’s optional taijiquan event as well as the optional taijishan. She also clinched silver in the optional taijijian.

Singapore’s other gold was won by Charlotte Ng in the taijiquan (39 movements) event. Besides the gold medal haul, there were also four silvers and five bronzes for Singapore.

In the three disciplines of taiji, taijiquan makes use of bare hands, taijijian exponents use a sword, taijishan competitors use a Chinese fan.

Speaking to CNA, Singapore Wushu Dragon and Lion Dance Federation CEO Leow Meng Hong said the target had been four golds and the athletes exceeded expectations.

"We wanted to have good results, we planned for it, and the athletes worked very hard for it," he said. "We