SANAA, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- A Kung Fu Championship concluded on Thursday in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, with more than 165 athletes from 11 provinces competing for various titles.
"Yemeni players love this popular sport from China and the Chinese culture. Some are even learning the Chinese language alongside the Chinese forms of Sanda and Taolu. Several players here have won medals in international events held in Jordan, Morocco, and China," said Naji Al-Ashwal, the coach of the Yemeni National Kung Fu Team, during an interview with Xinhua.
The championships gave local audiences a taste of Chinese culture through various kung fu styles. Al-Ashwal noted that many youths have fallen in love with kung fu after watching kung fu movies, seeing it as a distinctive and popular sport that mirrors Chinese culture with its blend of combat and performance.
Others view the competition as an opportunity for cultural exchange and collaboration between the two countries. More than just physical strength, it promotes the development of the body, mind, and spirit, helping participants adapt and cope with life from the inside out.
President of the Kung Fu Federation in Yemen, Mohammed Abdul Rawah, said, "Between us and the Chinese brothers, there are many ties, including this sport, in which China has provided significant support to the Yemeni Kung Fu Federation with sports equipment and training."
Rawah added that the goal of hosting this Kung Fu championship is to select players for national teams and send them to youth camps in preparation for upcoming championships.
Abdullah Al-Majeedy, a member of the national team competing in the Sanda category, said, "The motivation for our love for Kung Fu is the love for Chinese culture." Enditem
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