All news tagged Wushu

Arena Fitness Dojo and Wushu Arena Philippines Recognized by Mandaluyong LGU Following UN ECOSOC Feature and Hong Kong Championship Victory

Arena Fitness Dojo and Wushu Arena Philippines continue to earn both national and international recognition as they bridge grassroots martial arts development with global advocacy initiatives.
Following their outstanding performance at the 21st Hong Kong International Wushu Championships last March 2026, the Philippine delegation was formally received during a courtesy call with the Mandaluyong Sports Development Office and the Mandaluyong City Public Information Office — a meaningful recognition of the team’s achievements and contributions to inclusive sports development.
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International Success: Hong Kong Wushu Championships 2026
The team delivered an exceptional showing on the international stage, bringing home:
24 Gold Medals
3 Silver Medals
3 Bronze Medals
The achievement reflects the growing strength of Philippine Wushu and the success of a training system that welcomes athletes from all walks of life — including beginners, working adults, youth competitors, and non-traditional martial arts entrants.
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Global Platform: UN ECOSOC Youth Forum 2026
Beyond competition, Arena Fitness Dojo has also gained recognition for its advocacy in inclusive martial arts and movement education.
Head Coach Arra Jeuneze Corpuz was featured as a speaker during a virtual side event of the United Nations ECOSOC Youth Forum 2026, organized by the Martial Arts Coalition for Sustainable Development (MCS).
In her presentation titled “Movement Is for Every Body,” Corpuz introduced a community-based framework challenging traditional barriers in fitness and sports participation.
Her message emphasized that:
• Movement should be accessible regardless of age or ability
• Inclusion is not charity, but a practical and necessary system
• Martial arts can directly contribute to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being
The presentation showcased real-world applications of this philosophy through programs serving senior citizens, neurodivergent students, beginners, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
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MCS Certification: Philippines on the Global Map
Arena Fitness Dojo is now officially recognized as a member of the Martial Arts Coalition for Sustainable Development, becoming the first and only Philippine organization included in this global network.
This certification connects the dojo to an international community of organizations using martial arts to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in health, education, inclusion, and community development.
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Local Recognition: Mandaluyong LGU Courtesy Call
The courtesy call with the Mandaluyong LGU highlights the growing importance of community-based sports initiatives and inclusive athlete development programs.
It underscores the value of:
• Grassroots sports development
• Youth and athlete empowerment
• Inclusive martial arts systems aligned with both national and global priorities
This milestone demonstrates how local initiatives can evolve from community training halls into platforms for international competition and global policy conversations.
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A Model for Inclusive Martial Arts in the Philippines
Arena Fitness Dojo and Wushu Arena Philippines continue to develop a martial arts system where training is not limited to elite athletes, but made accessible to:
• Beginners starting later in life
• Working professionals with limited schedules
• Senior citizens seeking mobility and wellness
• Neurodivergent individuals and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)
Their approach positions martial arts not only as a competitive sport, but also as a tool for lifelong movement, inclusion, and sustainable community development.
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From Grassroots to Global
From winning medals in Hong Kong…
to speaking at the United Nations…
to being recognized by local government—
Arena Fitness Dojo and Wushu Arena Philippines continue to demonstrate how a community-based initiative can grow into a platform for national representation and global impact.
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About Arena Fitness Dojo & Wushu Arena Philippines
Arena Fitness Dojo is a Philippine-based martial arts organization offering training in Wushu, Aikido, Taichi, and movement education. It is home to Wushu Arena Philippines and Arena Aikido Club, led by Coach Arra Jeuneze Corpuz.
The organization advocates for the principle: “Movement Is for Every Body” — promoting accessible, inclusive, and sustainable martial arts training aligned with global development goals.

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.

Filipina wushu standout Agatha Wong captured bronze in the women’s taijijian at the 17th World Wushu Championships in Brasilia, Brazil, after delivering a strong performance that earned her 9.703 points. 

Wong, one of the country’s most decorated wushu athletes, placed behind Japan’s Shino Saito, who took home the gold, and Singapore’s Zeanne Law, who captured silver. 

The medal also marks a significant comeback for the five-time Southeast Asian Games champion who was eager to bounce back following her earlier setback at the Chengdu World Games.

Meanwhile, the Philippines also celebrated other medalists: Carlos Baylon Jr. (silver, men’s sanda 56kg) and bronze medalists Russel Diaz (men’s sanda 52kg), Gideon Fred Padua (men’s sanda 60kg), Xander Alipio (men’s sanda 65kg), Jenifer Kilapio (women’s sanda 52kg), and Krisna Malecdan (women’s sanda 56kg).

With determination and the Philippine flag on his back, Carlos Baylon Jr. delivered an outstanding performance at the 2025 World Games, defeating Kazakhstan’s Islam Karimov, 2-0, to claim the bronze medal in wushu sanda on Tuesday at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Centre Gymnasium.

Baylon set the tone early with aggressive takedowns and sharp striking, dominating the bout and securing a much-needed win for Team Philippines. 

“I am just happy to win this bronze medal,”  who earlier this year also captured gold at the IWUF 10th Sanda World Cup in China. “I hope I can win more tournaments and give pride to our country.” said Baylon.

His podium finish closes out the wushu team’s campaign in Chengdu on a high note, following Krizan Faith Collado’s narrow bronze-medal loss against Vietnam’s Thi Phuong Nga Ngo.

With Baylon’s bronze and an earlier silver secured, Team Philippines now holds two medals at the World Games, with five days of competition remaining. Baylon’s victory adds to the nation’s momentum and stands as a testament to Filipino resilience and passion on the world stage.

As the 2025 World Games continue, Filipino athletes remain focused on bringing honor to the flag and inspiring the nation.