Brunei

On the evening of the first day of Hua Deng, the martial arts training hall of the Brunei National Stadium heard the sound of "Hey! Ha!" from time to time.

    In the training hall, some of the dozens of Brunei national martial arts team members are practicing Taijiquan and Baguazhang, and some are practicing swords and nunchakus. A young Brunei girl is practicing spearmanship, stabs, sweeps, and vacates, making her movements vigorous and powerful. The little boy practicing Nanquan had a sharp and powerful movement, and his eyes showed a mighty temperament.

    As a sport, martial arts has not been developed for a long time in Brunei. According to Li Hui, the head coach of the Brunei National Wushu Team, on the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Chinese language in 2006, the Chinese Wushu delegation held a "Wushu Night" performance at the Brunei National Stadium. After seeing the performance, the Prince of Brunei and President of the National Olympic Committee Haji Sufferi Bolkiah expressed the hope that Chinese coaches would go to Brunei to help develop martial arts. On November 1, 2007, Brunei officially established a national martial arts team.

    After learning that the Executive Committee of the International Olympic Committee has determined Wushu as a candidate for the 2020 Olympic Games, the Brunei government has further supported the development of Wushu in Brunei, and has increased funding and policy support. In 2012, martial arts became a key event in Brunei and was included in the National Games. In 2013, the Brunei national team won the gold medal in the martial arts competition of the Southeast Asian Games. This was Brunei's first gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games in the past ten years and caused a national sensation.

    The reporter interviewed Shalixing, who has won many gold medals in the world martial arts competitions, and Basma, who served as the flag bearer of the Brunei delegation in the 2018 Asian Games. Basma, who had just finished training, was in sweat. She told reporters: “In 2018, Brunei participated in the Asian Games for the eighth time. As the youngest player in the delegation, I am very proud to be the standard bearer. It is actually even more important to be able to win this honor. Most of it is the recognition of martial arts from all walks of life in Brunei."

    Shalixing has practiced martial arts for 10 years. In the 2017 World Martial Arts Competition in Iran, Shalixing won two gold medals in Nanquan and Nandao. "Now my goal is the Asian Games gold medal!" Shalixing said confidently.

    Li Hui told reporters: "The Brunei National Martial Arts Team did encounter many difficulties in the early days of its establishment. There was no formal practice field. The trainees could only practice martial arts on the grass. There were no weapons, equipment, and not many trainees. However, some parents are very supportive of their children. I practice martial arts and accompany my children to the venue every day to practice martial arts, which makes me very touched."

    "In the early days, athletes didn't understand the connotation of Chinese martial arts, and they were weak in body style, consciousness, and spirit. I focused on cultivating athletes' consciousness." Li Hui said.

    Li Hui's efforts over the years have paid off. Brunei martial arts contestants participate in large-scale international martial arts competitions and frequently win medals. "As a coach, I am very pleased to be able to build a bridge for cultural exchanges between China and Brunei in martial arts." Li Hui said.

    At the Brunei Chinese School, the reporter saw children practicing Chinese martial arts in full swing. According to reports, many local schools hold activities to experience Chinese martial arts in summer and winter camps. Natasha, a 6-year-old girl from Brunei's national martial arts team who focuses on Changquan, said: "I like the unique spirit of martial arts. Martial arts can not only keep fit, but also exercise my will to overcome difficulties."

    The charm of Chinese martial arts lies not only in competition, but also in cultural exchanges and integration of people's hearts. "It is through martial arts that we let the Brunei people understand the breadth and depth of Chinese culture," said Hong Ruiquan, chairman of the Brunei Wushu Federation. "Today Brunei's achievements in martial arts are inseparable from the help of China. We select from all over Brunei. Athletes sent to China or hired Chinese coaches for training. By getting along day and night, they not only learned martial arts, but also gained friendship."