Bangladesh Wushu stars trained by Chinese masters

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A total of 40 select Bangladesh Wushu (martial arts) athletes are in the middle of a special training program in which they receive expertise coaching from Chinese masters.

This two-month training starting from July 25 involves China's martial arts masters, Bangladesh coaches and athletes who once won gold medals for the South Asian country in various local and international competitions earlier.

In collaboration with the Chinese embassy in Dhaka, the Bangladesh Wushu Association has organized the program to gear up its preparations for the 2019 South Asian Games, which will be held in Kathmandu, Nepal in March next year. The association hopes not to suffer the same fate that its athletes missed out on winning gold medals in the event during the 2016 Games in India.

Coaches' voices

Mao Nongxuan, who is martial arts teacher at Xi'an Physical Education University, is currently the coach for Bangladesh trainees.

"The trainees in Bangladesh like martial arts and Sanda very much. Although their level is relatively low, the physical condition of the students is very good," said Mao.

"I believe the participants are very likely to win gold medals in the South Asian Games after a long training period," Mao added.

Another Chinese coach Chen Jian who is martial arts teacher at Wuhan Sports University said "I have been engaged in martial arts for more than 30 years. The trainees in Bangladesh are very enthusiastic about training."

"I engage and interact very well with the students, so I am very passionate when training. The goal of this student training program is to position them to break through as goal medalists in the South Asian Games and achieve better results in the Asian Games," Chen explained.

A Bangladesh athlete performs during the "Ambassador Cup China-Bangladesh Wushu Demonstration-2017" in Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, on Nov. 20, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Trainees' voices

Chinese coaching is highly appreciated by players. For instance, the advanced high altitude training, as part of the special program, has helped players to recover from injuries in the run up to the next games.

Bangladesh Army member Eti Islam has been practicing Wushu for about 10 years. She won the Wushu gold medal in the 2010 South Asian Games at her homeland but narrowly missed the opportunity in the 2016 games.

"We're now preparing for the South Asian Games. I am preparing myself to win the gold medal for Bangladesh again at the South Asian games next year," said a confident looking Eti, who has acquired more skills under her Chinese coaches who are the key figures of the ongoing training.

"I'm so glad to receive this training from our Chinese masters. I hope we could learn more Wushu skills from our Chinese teachers," said Noor Banu Aktar, a Wushu gold medalist, who also eyes the South Asian Games' gold medal.

Another practitioner, Fahmida Tabassum, who has practiced Wushu since 2013, said the Chinese coaches' training methods are excellent. "If could have more coaches we could really do very well."

Organizers' voices

Mohammad Shariful Islam, a member of the Bangladesh Wushu Association, has expressed hope that the training under the Chinese experts will boost players' moral and help them better prepare for the South Asian Games.

Mohammad Dulal Hossain, Joint Secretary of Bangladesh Wushu Association, expressed his gratitude to the Chinese government and the Chinese embassy in Dhaka for supporting the development of Wushu in Bangladesh.

He said it would be impossible for them to organize such a long residential training course without Chinese support. "They are very good coaches. We've already noticed that. Our practitioners are also happy with their training methods," Hossain said.

Alamgir Shah Bhuiyan, general secretary of Bangladesh Wushu Association, an approved body of Bangladesh's National Sports Council, said the special training held at Bangladesh's National Indoor Stadium in Dhaka has been designed to reach gold attaining targets in the South Asian Games.

"We'll try our best to bring two more Chinese masters to conduct another training course for our best players," he said, adding they will make a short list of players after the program.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency