Photo: Philippine Sports Commission

By Miguel Palaban

A new generation of Filipino wushu athletes offered a glimpse of the sport’s future after a solid showing in the 10th World Junior Wushu Championships in Tianjin, China, from March 23 to March 31.The national junior squad came away with three bronze medals, reflecting the steady rise of the country’s youth program on the international stage.

Hannah Ysabel De Los Reyes secured a podium finish in the girls’ junior taijiquan event, while Angel Polo matched the feat in the girls’ youth taijiquan category.

On the other hand, Xiviel Bantali rounded out the medal haul with a third-place effort in the boys’ youth 48-kilogram sanda division.

Photo: Philippine Sports Commission

Beyond the results, the performances pointed to a deeper pool of emerging talent capable of challenging seasoned contenders.

The young representatives displayed discipline and composure across both forms and combat events, holding their own against entries from traditional strongholds such as China and Iran.

Guided by coaches Li Jian Fang and Ali Dehghan, the team showed improved technical execution and ring awareness throughout the competition.

Their development reflects a structured approach to nurturing prospects at an early stage.

Support from the Philippine Sports Commission has also played a role in sustaining the program, with officials expressing confidence in the direction of the youth setup.