Martial arts competition kicks off in Nanyang

The 2018 Henan Martial Arts Schools Competition opens in Nanyang on Oct 13. [Photo/nydt.cn]

The 2018 Henan Martial Arts Schools Competition opened at Nanyang Normal University Stadium on Oct 13 with 85 teams from all over the province taking part.

The competition was sponsored by Henan Wushu Management Center, Henan Wushu Association, and Nanyang sports bureau, and featured individual and group categories. More than 1,000 athletes and coaches were involved in the three-day competition. Eight martial arts schools in Nanyang sent 10 athletes each to compete in the games.

Liu Minglang, a contestant from Nanyang No 12 Primary School, said confidently that he was able to get a good place in the competition based on his four years of studying the foundations of martial arts, adding that practising the discipline benefits him both spiritually and physically.

Henan Sports Bureau and Henan Education Department have selected 89 martial arts schools throughout the province since 2016 to help further promote the development of martial arts in the campus.

Ma Ming, general secretary of the Martial Arts Association of Henan Students Sports Association and dean of the School of Physical Education of Henan Polytechnic University, said that the competition plays a leading role in carrying forward martial arts and traditional Chinese culture. The various martial styles can also promote exchanges and progress.

In total, the 85 teams from Henan province consisted of more than 1,000 athletes and coaches, all of whom participated in the competition. [Photo/nydt.cn]

A student performs in an individual event during the martial arts competition. [Photo/nydt.cn]