(Above) China Wushu Association (CWA) president Gao Xiaojun (R) with Brunei Wushu Federation (BWF) president Ang Swee Chuan. CWA wants Brunei to be a regional wushu grading centre. BT/Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh
China Wushu Association (CWA) president Gao Xiaojun is hoping that Brunei will become the Chinese Wushu Duanwei System centre in Southeast Asia.
The Chinese Wushu Duanwei System is a way of grading wushu exponents through different levels known as guan in the weapon and empty handed techniques. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote the new grading system was signed between CWA and Brunei Wushu Federation (BWF) on Saturday. Signing on behalf of BWF was the federation's president Ang Swee Chuan while CWA was represented by Gao.
"I want Brunei to become the centre for the Chinese Wushu Duanwei System in Southeast Asia so all members of wushu federations in the region, let say from Malaysia and Indonesia, can send their wushu exponents to Brunei for grading," said Gao in an interview with The Brunei Times.
"Nowadays we always see a number of wushu athletes holding higher level of dan, but we are not sure how they are being graded - and some of them do not even deserve it. "I hope with the introduction of this Chinese Wushu Duanwei System, we can grade all the wushu exponents fairly," he added. Gao also said that Brunei is the first country in Southeast Asia to sign a MoU on Chinese Wushu Duanwei System.
Following the signing of the MoU, CWA approved BWF's establishment of a Chinese Wushu Duanwei System test centre in Brunei. BWF is also allowed to use the contents and standards of Chinese Wushu Duanwei System according to the regulations issued by the CWA as a platform for all its wushu activities such as teaching, examination, and selection.
BWF itself also can organise training, test and assessments up to third dan. In order to do that, BWF must establish a Wushu Duanwei System Committee for examination and assessment purposes that includes at least three wushu professionals with the qualification of fourth dan to sixth dan.
BWF will also need to establish a Wushu Duanwei System Office, which will be responsible for examinations, assessments, and judgement of wushu practitioners. Successful participants shall be issued with a Chinese Wushu Duanwei System certificate and badge after approved by CWA. The above mentioned certificates shall be stamped with the logos of both CWA and BWF to show that the project has been carried out in cooperation by both parties.
Fourth to sixth dan Chinese Wushu Duanwei System examinations and assessments can only be organised and implemented by CWA, but BWF can invite an expert team from CWA to offer training, examinations and assessments.
Meanwhile, examinations and assessments of the seventh dan to ninth dan can only be organised and implemented in China by CWA. Brunei recently enjoyed success at a wushu tournament in Kuala Lumpur when two members of the country's junior team won gold and silver. Competing at the 2014 Chin Woo Wushu Championship, Basma Lachkar won gold in the Girls' Sword event and compatriot Ling Dexuan later claimed silver in the Girls' Spear event.
A total of 14 national junior wushu exponents aged from seven to 13 took part in the competition held at the Malaysian capital.
A previous article in The Brunei Times stated that BWF selected the Under-13 exponents to increase their exposure and get them up to pace in a competitive environment, with the long-term aim of gearing a team up for the 2019 Southeast Asia (SEA) Games which will be hosted by Brunei.
