The Wushu Championship of the 49th National Sports Festival concluded during the last week at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, Colombo. There were over 150 participants representing the nine provinces. During the three day tournament, athletes displayed their courage, commitment, and skill with some thrilling displays. But importantly, they have shared the brotherhood and remind us of the true spirit of the game at the end of the day. Finally, Western Province won the major honours by stamping their authority in the traditional Chinese martial art event.
The tournament consisted of both versions, “Taolu” (Non contact gymnastic version) and “Sanda” (full contact combat version, which is a mix of traditional Chinese boxing and wrestling). In the female segment, players competed in two weight categories, whereas the men’s event got six weight classes.
- Waymba ladies edged out Central Province at the netball finals.
- Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces Triumph in volleyball
At the end of the tournament, Western Province came up with a dominating performance. In the “Sanda” men’s segment, P. N Balawardhane from Sabaragamuwa Province emerged as the best player by representing the 60 kg weight class. In the “Sanda” women’s segment, G. H. S Sandamali from Western claimed the championship, representing the 52 kg weight class.
Further, W. M. K. D Bandara of Western Province stamped his class as the best men’s player of the Taolu segment, while P. H. G. Wathsala from Sabaragamuwa Province clinched the best female “Wushu-Taolu“ title.
