WORLD and European Junior wushu champion Sam Mak, above, is set to be one of the stars at this Saturday's British championships in Derby on Saturday.
The Matlock teenager will join competitors from across the UK to bid for the national crown at the city’s Moorways Sports Centre. Hosted by the Derby School of Chinese Martial Arts and organised by the British Council, the event is being staged in th
e Midlands for the first time in its 16-year history.
With Wushu making its debut at the Olympic Games in Beijing later this year, many of the athletes taking part have their sights set on becoming future Olympians.
The championships is also a qualifying event for the junior and senior Great Britain teams to compete in the European and world championships later this year.
The event begins with an opening ceremony at 9.30am, followed by more than six hours of Wushu competition in different categories and styles, including Taolu and Sanshou. There will also be a number of special displays throughout the day, including a gymnastics display by Derby’s national champion Damien Walters and his team.
The XMA Performance Team will perform an Xtreme Martial Arts and acrobatics display, and Ma Bo and Sam will perform a Chinese Lion Dance.
Sam’s dad, Fred, who is also general secretary of Derby School of Chinese Martial Arts, said it was “a great honour to be hosting the event.”
“This year is set to be the most spectacular show and competition in the history of the British Council of Chinese Martial Arts national competition events,” he said.
“Even those who have never seen the exciting sport of Wushu before will enjoy the grace and demanding routines which are a pure spectacle to watch.”
Admission is £10, but under 12s accompanied by a paying adult go free.
The full article contains 313 words and appears in Matlock Mercury newspaper.
