The 2018 Wushu Masters Challenge, jointly organized by the Sports Bureau and Wushu General Association of Macau and co-organized by the Macao Government Tourism Office, Cultural Affairs Bureau and Cultural Industries Fund, was held from August 2 to 5. This event, which lasted four consecutive days, let residents and visitors experience a martial arts journey.
The Wushu Masters Challenge this year was rich in content, including numerous key events such as the 2018 World University Wushu Championships held by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), “Belt and Road” Dragon and Lion Dance Invitational Tournament, International Wushu Taolu (Routine) Competition, and Sanda Challenge Competition, providing wushu enthusiasts from various regions a platform for exchange and learning.
To let residents and visitors experience a festive atmosphere, the Wushu Summer Carnival was held in Tap Seac Square and Iao Hon Park, where there were stage performances, lucky draw sessions and many workshops and stall games featuring wushu. A great number of residents and visitors were attracted to attend and participate in this event. Through activities, they deepened their understanding of the culture of Chinese wushu, which has a long history.
The finale “Wushu and Dragon and Lion Dance Parade” was held on August 5. A team composed of Lotus Dragon, Nine Dragons, Kirin, Big Head Buddha, Butterfly, Southern Lion and Macao's wushu organizations set off from Senado Square at 5:00 p.m., passing by St. Dominic's Church, Ruins of Saint Paul, and Calçada da lgreja de S. Lázaro. They finally arrived at the stage in Tap Seac Square. The parade team walked through various streets and alleys. All the performers demonstrated different styles of Chinese styles on the spot along the route. During the parade, there were also dancing performances showing distinguishing cultures, with the addition of clothing, dancing and music filled with wushu elements. They together formed a carnival-style atmosphere. The excellence of performances and visual displays attracted residents and visitors along the route. The parade team finally arrived at Tap Seac Square and the event was finally concluded in lively atmosphere.
The closing show took place at Tap Seac Multi-sport Pavilion at 7:00 p.m. on the same day. This 2-hour show was composed of three chapters: “Masters in Wulin”, “Martial Arts and Nature” and “Heaven, Earth and Humanity”. Four local wushu masters Lei Man Iam, Lam Hong Sang, Leong Sio Nam, and Hoi Io Kong, together with foreign wushu masters, performed a variety of Chinese wushu styles. Wushu teams from Macao dragon and lion dancing team, Henan Shaoshan Shaolin Temple Wusong Group and Beijing Sports University performed excellent wushu skills for the audience. Macao athletes also performed wushu, karate, boxing, kickboxing and dancing. The finale show was “Hero out of Juvenile”, performed by Macao training team and Youth Wushu Academy, implying that the young generation should inherit the traditional wushu culture. The show also concluded the Wushu Masters Challenge this year.
