PH to Host Back-to-Back Wushu Championships in 2027 and 2028
The Philippines is gearing up for two monumental years in martial arts as it prepares to host back-to-back international wushu tournaments—the World Wushu Championships in 2027 and the Asian Wushu Championships in 2028.
The announcement was made by Wushu Federation of the Philippines (WFP) officials led by President Freddie Jalasco and Secretary-General Julian Camacho during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum. Joining them was Carlos Baylon Jr., World Wushu Championships silver medalist and World Games bronze medalist.
According to Camacho, the Wushu Federation of Asia proposed that the Philippines host both the world and continental events consecutively—a rare honor and a practical decision for efficiency and impact.
“Since we’re already hosting the 2027 World Championships, they suggested we also stage the 2028 Asian Championships,” Camacho shared. “It’s back-to-back, and since we’ll already have the equipment like the taolu carpet, sanda ring, and scoring machines, it’s efficient to use them again within a short span.”
A World-Stage Opportunity
Jalasco revealed that the federation is eyeing a ₱500-million budget to successfully mount the World Championships, which is expected to draw around 80 countries and over 2,000 athletes competing in both taolu (forms) and sanda (sparring) disciplines.
The SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia Complex is being considered as the main venue. Preparations are set to begin early next year, with Jalasco emphasizing the magnitude of the event.
Originally, the Philippines was slated to host the World Championships in 2029, with Macau set for 2027. But in a friendly exchange, Camacho and Macau officials agreed to swap hosting duties, fast-tracking the country’s turn on the global stage.
Baylon Ready to Deliver for the Home Crowd
For Carlos Baylon Jr., the opportunity to compete in front of Filipino fans is both an honor and a challenge. “We’ll do our best in training to win gold,” said Baylon, who competes in the men’s sanda 56kg division. “There’s pressure because we’re the hosts, but we’ll show other countries that we’re strong.”
The dual hosting underscores the Philippines’ growing stature in the global wushu community—a testament to the sport’s steady development in the country and the federation’s commitment to excellence.
As Camacho and Jalasco look to elevate Philippine wushu to new heights, 2027 and 2028 promise to be landmark years—not only for the sport but for the nation’s continuing legacy in international martial arts.
