The International Wushu Federation's (IWUF) 4th Taolu World Cup successfully concluded in Haikou, Hainan, China, on July 8, 2026, featuring 22 gold medals contested across 11 men's and 11 women's events in fist routines, long weapons, short weapons, and duilian. The event, one of six flagship IWUF competitions, gathered 206 participants, including 117 elite athletes, from 29 countries and regions, with medalists hailing from 18 nations.
This competition holds particular significance as wushu is set to make its historic debut as an official medal sport at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games this November, marking the first inclusion of this traditional Chinese martial art in the Olympic program. The Taolu World Cup thus served as a key preparatory platform for athletes aiming for Olympic glory.
The event was also the first high-level international wushu single-discipline competition hosted by Hainan since the establishment of the Hainan Free Trade Port. Leveraging the port's unique geographical and policy advantages, including visa-free access for citizens of 86 countries and a 240-hour transit visa-exemption policy, overseas participants, technical officials, and media enjoyed fast-track customs clearance. Additionally, specialized competition equipment benefited from zero-tariff treatment and simplified cross-border procedures, as highlighted by organizers.
Hainan's rich wushu culture was on display, with two counties and one city—Tunchang, Qiongzhong, and Wanning—designated as "National Wushu Hometowns." Indigenous fighting styles such as the Li ethnic group's Li Family Fist, Tunchang Pochen Five-Form Stakes, and Wanning Mazai Kung Fu have been passed down through generations, reflecting a deep-rooted local tradition.
Concurrently, Hainan hosted the inaugural Hainan International Wushu Culture Month, incorporating multiple "wushu + tourism" travel routes that allowed domestic and international guests to enjoy the island's scenery and duty-free shopping benefits while attending high-level competitions. Looking ahead, Hainan plans to integrate wushu into its sports-tourism product system, developing themed tourist destinations, study bases, and signature events to establish the island as a global hub for wushu development and cultural exchange.
Separately, the 43rd Executive Committee Meeting of the IWUF decided that Haikou City will host the 12th Sanda World Cup, further cementing Hainan's role in international wushu events.
