The largest Chinese martial arts organization in the world is the International Wushu Federation (IWUF) at 160-member countries and is one step below the International Olympic Committee (IOC). When the IWUF leadership was interested in connecting with the Traditional Chinese Martial Arts (TCMA) community, they picked Wing Chun as their first candidate due to its popularity, the ease of beginning in the art for novices, and because the art has great depth for advanced martial artists as well. One such meeting included the likes of modern Wushu leaders: US Wushu President and Sifu Anthony Goh and his good friend and Canadian Wushu President Sifu Sunny Tang. Also known as Dunn Wah, Sifu Tang is a legendary Wing Chun Grand Master and a top disciple under the late Sifu, Grand Master Moy Yat.
Sifu Goh was looking for the best way for Wushu to connect with the TCMA; Sifu Tang was looking for the best way to promote Wing Chun. Together, they spearheaded the introduction of Wing Chun into the IWUF as an official, formal event by creating categories for forms, reactional skill demonstrations (Chi Sao), and full contact fighting with a traditional flair (Mai San Jong).
After many private, small group meetings – in 2018, major Wushu and Wing Chun leaders gathered in Macau to work out the details to officially introduce Wing Chun including defining rules, regulations, training methods, judge, and referee certifications. The result of all this hard work is the first World Open Wing Chun Championship. The winners of this prestigious event will truly lay claim to World Champion as over 160 countries have been invited to send teams for the competition.
Led by the International Wushu Federation, and organized by the Chinese Wushu Association, the World Open Wing Chun Competition was held from November 29th to December 3rd, 2018 in Foshan, China. This event was also supported by the Guangdong Wushu Association and the Foshan High-Tech Zone Management Committee.
IWUF Executive Vice President Anthony Goh, IWUF Secretary-General and President of the Chinese Wushu Association Zhang Qiuping, Foshan Municipal Sports Bureau Director Wei Qiwen, Foshan High-tech Industrial Development Zone Director, and Deputy Secretary of the Nanhai District Party Committee Liu Taogen, Nanhai District Standing Committee Member Li Yan and Grandmaster Ip Man's son, Ip Chun, and other leaders attended the opening ceremony on November 30th at Shishan People's Square, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China.
There were over 1,000 competitors from over 20 countries at the event. The US team was led by Grand Master Benny Meng of the Shaolin Wing Chun lineage, and brought home 2 Gold, 1 Silver, and 1 Bronze medals. Team member Vincent Meng also brought home the first Gold Medal Grand Champion. His Gold medal win in the 70kg Mai San Jong makes for Vincent’s 5th World title (1 for Sanda, 1 for Lei Tai, 1 for Taekwondo, 1 for Mai San Jong, 1 for Traditional Wing Chun Forms). Shaolin Wing Chun team member Ray Gulesar (France) earned 1 Gold, 1 Bronze.
- Gold in Male Grand Champion
- Gold in 70kg Mai San Jong
- Silver in Muk Yan Jong
- 4th in Biu Gee
- 5th in Chi Sao
- Bronze in Chum Kiu
- 4th in Chi Sao
- 7th in Biu Gee
- 4th in Baat Jaam Dou
- 4th in Siu Nim Tau
- 4th in Chi Sao
- 5th in Chum Kiu
- 5th in Chi Seo
- 5th in 65kg Mai San Jong
- 5th in Siu Nim Tau
- 8th in Chum Kiu
- Gold in 90kg Mai San Jong
- Bronze in Siu Nim Tau
- 5th in Siu Nim Tau
Other team members: Cheng Yi Huang and Ho Wen Chang (Taiwan)
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