The Wushu Federation Philippines announced last Tuesday, October 7 at the Media Forum of Philippine Sportswriters Association that the Philippines will host both the World Wushu Championship in 2027 and Asian Wushu Championship in 2028.
Exchanged Hosting Duties with Macau
Wushu Philippines Secretary-General Julian Camacho revealed that in the bidding for the Wushu World Championship 2027, which took place at Dallas, Texas, it had already been awarded to Macau, and 2029 will be for the Philippines.
But, Julian Camacho had a conversation with the representative of Macau about exchanging years since he may not make it by 2029 because of his age.
“Sabi ko kasi, I’m 82 now baka hindi na ako umabot ng 2029,” Camacho said with a smile to the media.
“We’re friends (Macau) naman. So pumayag, nagpalit tayo ng hosting.”
With Macau agreeing to exchange hosting years, this prompted Mr. Camacho to also request to host the 2028 Asian Championships for the reason of retaining the technical equipment in the year prior.
“Kinausap ako ng Wushu Federation of Asia, sabi nila since mag-host naman kayo ng 2027 World Championships, baka puwede na kayo mag host next year ng Asian Championships. So back-to-back ito. Sabi ko, OK,” Camacho said in the public sports program.
“Since nandiyan na rin naman lahat ng equipment (Taolu Carpet, Sanda Ring, Scoring Machine), we can make use of that with only a few months apart (of the two hosting).”
Wushu Philippines President Freddie Jalasco then revealed that they are still looking for Private Sponsor/s to add to their budget in hosting, as they have requested P500 Million from the Philippine Sports Commission, with only P420 Million being approved.
“Magsisimula na kami ng aming mobilization by early next year. So we have to prepare everything to ensure the success of our hosting, kasi napakalaking event nito,” he said.
Brand New Venue Come 2027
It was also revealed in the Forum Rizal Memorial Sports Complex that the 2027 Wushu World Championships will take place in the new venue at SMX Mall of Asia.
Currently, as per the Wushu President of the Philippines, Freddie Jalasco, the brand new venue located in Pasay City that is still being made now will be finished by 2027, and the Wushu World Championships will be the first event to use the facility.
The World Championship is set for November 2027, with no specific date mentioned yet, while there is no month given for the Asian Championship in 2028.
Pressured but Privileged to Perform in front of the Home Crowd for Carlos Baylon Jr.
For the Wushu Sanda athlete Carlos Baylon Jr., he admitted he feels pressure in 2 years from now, but admits it will be an honor to perform in front of his home crowd.
Baylon Jr., who turned 28 years old last Tuesday, has won several medals for the Philippines in recent years.
He won gold in the Sanda World Cup, silver in the World Wushu Championships, and bronze at the World Games, all just in this year.
“Medyo may pressure sa aming mga atleta dahil tayo ang host, pero ipapakita natin sa ibang countries na malakas tayo.”
“Pagsisikapan po natin sa training para makakuha tayo ng gold,” he said to the media at the day of his birthday.
Looking for the Next Agatha Wong Come 2027
The elephant in the room was acknowledged when asked whether Agatha Wong will still be part of the participants come 2027 or be part of the coaching staff.
Agatha is a Wushu Taolu athlete from the Philippines who has won numerous medals representing the country since 2017.
Mr. Jalasco told reporters that their athletes will eventually be part of the Coaching Staff or Trainers once they have retired. But said Wong is very much available to participate, that is, if she still wants to.
“Well si Agatha pwede pa siya, but ako naman yung programa naman namin dito sa Wushu, as much as possible talagang yung mga national athlete namin, yun ang pupuntahan after being a National Athlete either mag Coach kayo, Trainer yun dapat eh kase walang ibang gagawa nun kung hindi sila eh dahil yung experiences nila and everything malaking bagay para sa atin most especially nga noh kay Agatha.”
He then revealed that the 27-year-old Gold Medalist in the 2023 Southeast Asian Games may want to beg off from national team duties as she’s currently a 3rd Year student taking up Doctor of Medicine in Medical School at UERM Medical Center.
“Although ang problema din ni Agatha kase is Med School siya eh, 3rd Year na siya, so naiintindihan naman namin yun saka marami na rin siyang binigay sa ating bansa so yung support namin sa kanya sabi ko nga sa lahat ng athletes namin nandoon.”
Mr. Jalasco then voiced out the need for more players to fill in the Pool for the National Training Program in hopes of finding the next Agatha Wong come 2027.
“But yun nga we have to look for a more (players) sa ating pool para sa ating National Training Program.”
