The Pan American Wushu Championship in Argentina represents a major milestone in the development of Wushu across the Americas. Reflecting on the sport's evolution over the past three decades, Anthony Goh highlighted the significant improvements in athletic performance, competition standards, infrastructure and event organization since the first Pan American Wushu Championship was held in Argentina in 1996.

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Anthony Goh praised the growing technical level of athletes competing in Sanda and Taolu, emphasizing that the progress is evident across the continent.

“I think the level of competition is a lot higher. We keep improving, and the same thing applies to Taolu,” Goh explained.

He also expressed his surprise at the quality of traditional Kung Fu demonstrated by countries such as Uruguay and Chile, recognizing the dedication of the coaches and athletes who continue to raise standards through their hard work and commitment.

“The standard of traditional Kung Fu is very high, and there are many dedicated coaches and athletes that invest a lot of work and time, delivering very good results and performances at this competition,” he said.

From the First Championship in 1996 to Today

The Pan American Wushu Federation was founded in 1995, with its first Pan American Championship taking place in Argentina in 1996. According to Goh, the event was considerably smaller in its early years, when the federation had limited resources and Wushu was not yet as widely established across the Americas.

He recalled that the original competition involved approximately ten countries, reflecting the more limited scale of Wushu at the time. Today, the sport has grown substantially, with more athletes, coaches and national federations participating in major competitions across the region.

“Not that we have enough today, but we are definitely on a different scale, with different resources, experience, and more talented people involved,” he explained.

The growth in participation is accompanied by a shift toward greater professionalism. While the athletes competing in 1996 already demonstrated a strong level of skill, Goh noted that the overall standard has continued to rise over the years.

Better Standards, Equipment and Organization

For Goh, the progress of Pan American Wushu is not measured solely by the number of competitors or the quality of their performances. Improvements in judging, equipment, venues and event management have also played an important role in the sport's development.

“Right now, with the resources we have, we have better venues, better equipment, better administration, and also the local organizing is better,” he stated.

He also pointed to the growing experience of organizers and administrators, explaining that greater familiarity with international championships has helped improve the way competitions are planned and delivered.

“The leadership, the administrative team are so much better,” Goh added.

These developments reflect the collective efforts of athletes, coaches, judges, administrators and organizing teams who have contributed to the growth of Wushu throughout the Americas.

Thirty years after the first Pan American Wushu Championship in Argentina, the progress is clear. With higher competitive standards, stronger organizational structures and increasing participation, the sport continues to build on its foundations while creating new opportunities for future generations of Wushu athletes.

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