The 2026 Oceania International Wushu Invitational Tournament is set to take place from May 21 to 25 in Brisbane, Australia, marking the first time this international martial arts event will be held in the host city of the 2032 Olympic Games. The announcement was made at a press conference in Beijing on May 7.
With the growing expansion of wushu worldwide, Australia has emerged as a key hub for the sport in Oceania, boasting nine recognized member associations of the International Wushu Federation (IWUF) and tens of thousands of practitioners across the country. The event, themed “Gathering Oceania, Wushu Moves the New Future,” aims to further enhance wushu’s influence in the region.
IWUF Secretary-General Zhang Yuping highlighted the healthy development of wushu in Australia and the broader Oceania region, noting that member organizations and martial arts schools are spread nationwide. “The organization of this tournament aligns with international standards and features innovative demonstrations. The opening ceremony will include an accessible wushu tai chi performance, featuring participants with intellectual disabilities and other special needs, vividly embodying the inclusive concept that ‘wushu is for everyone,'” Zhang said.
Brisbane, a rapidly growing sports and cultural center, will also host the 2032 Summer Olympics. The tournament follows the 16th World Wushu Championships, with Hengyuanxiang once again partnering with the IWUF for an international wushu event. Chen Zhongwei, Chairman and General Manager of Hengyuanxiang Group, emphasized that wushu is the mother of sports, having integrated into daily life over thousands of years. “It is not just a competitive activity but a healthy lifestyle and culture. We hope to work with the IWUF and the wider wushu community to drive its future development,” he said.
Notably, wushu has been officially included as a competition sport in the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games. Lin Hongbei, the promotional ambassador for wushu at the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympics, expressed in a video message her hope to use the international invitational tournament as a platform to showcase wushu’s charm, inspire mutual encouragement, connect with athletes from around the world, and share their passion and experiences for the future of wushu.
At the press conference, the event’s slogan and medal design were also unveiled. The medal’s design carries a dual meaning of cultural integration and sporting spirit. The front features a golden wattle branch, a quintessential cultural symbol of Oceania representing resilience, hope, and vitality, embodying the “Gathering Oceania” theme. In the center, dynamic and powerful lines capture the essence of wushu, showcasing the athletes’ graceful and vigorous moves on the field, echoing the “Wushu Moves the New Future” spirit.
