Wushu body name squad for upcoming programme

THE Papua New Guinea Kung Fu Wushu Association has named its national development squad for 2024, comprising of 22 male and six female athletes.
The squad is made up of athletes from different martial arts and combat sport backgrounds including karate, taekwondo, kickboxing, boxing and kung fu wushu.
Association president Geoff Hui said wushu was not limited to kung fu and wushu students only, but open to athletes from other styles and combat sports as well.
“We will train and educate them in our rules and techniques and support them to compete for their country,” Hui said.
“They remain the students of their preferred styles or clubs, and after the programme or tournament, they can return to their respective teachers or coaches.”
He said while running the programme, it was a chance for the association to work with other sports within the same genre.
“This is a great opportunity for all of us, especially the athletes to develop in sport and to have the chance to represent their country,” he said.
The association’s development officer Andrew Molen said the programme aims to prepare the athletes to compete at the first Wushu National Championships in June.
“They will be representing their respective clubs and styles at this event along with other competitors but we will be watching them closely,” said Molen.
All squad members will train to compete at the national championships in June where the final selection will be done to pick the national team.
Those selected will represent PNG at regional events in the second half of the year. This is also a build up for the World Championships in Brazil in 2025.
The programme will include sport-specific skills training, and strength and conditioning sessions with support from High Performance Sport PNG.
Squad – Shadrach Thoagerega, Ronald Rombol, Tony Mitu Jr, Patrick Kasamento, Cosmas Saliawali, Steven Tommy, Aloise Imifunmat, Johnathan Toliman, Elias Tiulai, Lincoln Chan, Reagan Chan, Dickson Walter, Charles Valahu, Liawe Michael, Richard Stead, Augustine Tom, Samson Paleran, Akia Radley Evara, Jabize Ivia, Thomas Mara, Bruce Andrew, Steven Nick Andrew (men’s), Audrey McRubin’s, Lyn Don, Koibo Aiva, Faustina Bokas, Michaelin Depit, Susan Langan.