Brunei Wushu Federation President Ang Swee Chuan (2nd L) and China Wushu Association President Gao Xiaojun (C) holds up the Memorandum of Understanding after last night's signing. Picture: BT/ Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh
The Chinese wushu duanwei system was officially introduced to Brunei following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Brunei Wushu Federation (BWF) and China Wushu Association (CWA) last night.
The duanwei system is a way of grading the wushu athletes through different levels known as guan in the weapon and empty handed techniques. "Like taekwondo and karate, wushu also has its own grading system," said national coach Li Hui who currently hold the seventh dan in wushu.
"There were no grading system in Brunei before this so this will be the first," he said. "All the wushu exponents in Brunei will be graded by me for their first until the third dan, but for the fourth dan and above, we have to do it in China.
"In the Chinese wushu duanwei system, all the exponents will be graded based on their basic movements and their achievements in tournaments. For Faustina Woo Wai Sii and Lee Ying Shi, they are eligible to take the test for the third dan because of their achievements in the past and their abilities," he added. Signing on behalf of BWF was the federation's president Ang Swee Chuan, meanwhile CWA was represented by their president Gao Xiaojun.
The CWA also agreed to help Brunei to open the Chinese wushu duanwei system test centre in the country. "Brunei has reached a certain standard where there is a need to introduce the grading system," said CWA president Gao who arrived in the Sultanate on Friday.
"We here at the association would be very happy to help Brunei implement the grading system," added Gao, who is also the director of the China Wushu Training Centre in Beijing.