The IWUF 4th Taolu World Cup successfully wrapped up in Haikou, Hainan, China, on July 8, 2026, marking a significant milestone for the sport of wushu as it prepares for its historic Olympic debut at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games this November. The event, which featured 11 men's and 11 women's events across fist routines, long weapons, short weapons, and duilian, saw 22 gold medals contested over two days. It attracted 206 athletes, team leaders, and coaches from 29 countries and regions, with 117 elite competitors and medalists from 18 countries.
This competition was the first high-level international wushu single-discipline event hosted by Hainan since the inception 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 personnel enjoyed fast-track customs clearance. Additionally, specialized competition equipment benefited from zero-tariff treatment and simplified cross-border customs clearance procedures, facilitating smooth logistics for the event.
Hainan's rich wushu culture was also on display, with its distinctive "Qiong-style" wushu system that integrates various martial arts schools and local folklore. Two counties and one city in Hainan—Tunchang, Qiongzhong, and Wanning—have been designated as "National Wushu Hometowns," reflecting deep-rooted local traditions. 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, standing as treasured gems of Hainan's folk culture.
Concurrently, Hainan hosted the inaugural Hainan International Wushu Culture Month event, featuring 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 further integrate wushu into its sports-tourism product system, developing wushu-themed tourist destinations, study and research bases, and signature events, making "spectator travel" a new model for cultural tourism. The island aims to become a global hub for wushu development and cultural exchange by hosting international competitions, training camps, professional development programs, and cultural activities.
Separately, the 43rd Executive Committee Meeting of the IWUF has decided that Haikou City in Hainan Province will host the 12th Sanda World Cup, further cementing Hainan's role in the global wushu community. The successful conclusion of the Taolu World Cup underscores wushu's growing international appeal and the strategic importance of Hainan as a gateway for cultural and sports exchange.
