The spotlight is on India’s wushu contingent as the team arrives in Brazil for the 17th World Wushu Championships (WWC), set to run from September 1–8, 2025.
With a squad that blends seasoned Sanda fighters and an emerging group of Taolu specialists, India enters the competition with its most balanced team to date. The World Wushu Championships, first held in 1991, stand as the pinnacle of international competition in the sport, organized biennially by the International Wushu Federation (IWUF). The event serves not only as a battle for world titles but also as a qualification pathway for the World Games and discipline-specific World Cups.
Wushu itself divides into two core disciplines:
- Sanda (Sanshou): a full-contact combat sport similar to kickboxing, fought on a raised platform with strikes, throws, and sweeps.
- Taolu: a performance-based event judged on technique, choreography, and athletic execution, blending martial arts with elements of gymnastics.
India has historically excelled in Sanda but has recently made inroads in Taolu, raising hopes for a broader medal haul in Brazil.
The Indian Squad: Strength in Sanda, Promise in Taolu
Sanda (Combat Specialists)
India’s Sanda contingent is its backbone, featuring proven champions and rising stars:
- Namrata Batra: India’s first World Games medalist in wushu (silver, Chengdu 2025). Four-time national champion and Asian Championships silver medalist.
- Vikrant Baliyan: 2019 World Championships bronze medalist, 2019 South Asian Games gold, and 2024 BRICS Games bronze across multiple weight classes.
- Surya Bhanu Pratap Singh: Veteran with two WWC bronzes (2015, 2017) and a 2024 BRICS Games silver.
- Aparna Dahiya: Gold medalist at the 2024 BRICS Games (48kg), a breakout performer with a growing reputation.
- Roshibina Devi Naorem: 2023 Asian Games silver medalist, known for her explosive attacking style.
- Abhishek Jamwal: Quarterfinalist at the World Games 2025, part of the next wave of talent.
This combination of experience and fresh energy makes India’s Sanda unit a formidable force.
Taolu (Masters of Form)
India’s Taolu athletes, historically overshadowed, are now stepping into the limelight:
- Nyeman Wangsu – Three-time National Games champion from Arunachal Pradesh, a consistent medalist at domestic and international competitions.
- Hanjabam Langlentombi Devi – 2025 Asian Taolu Cup silver medalist in Nanquan, the first Indian woman to medal at the event a landmark for the sport.
- Karnajit Hanjabam – Bronze medalist in men’s Taijiquan at the 2024 BRICS Games.
- Shashi Tamang – National champion who won gold in Changquan at the 32nd Senior Nationals.
Their inclusion reflects India’s strategic diversification and signals the start of a new era for Indian Taolu.
At the helm is Kuldeep Handoo, India’s national chief coach and 2020 Dronacharya Awardee. Under his guidance, India has secured multiple medals at World Championships, Asian Games, and World Cups, including three world titles and nearly 90 podium finishes across major events.
Support from regional associations has also been pivotal. For instance, the All Arunachal Pradesh Wushu Association (AAPWA) has played a critical role in nurturing Nyeman Wangsu, while the Sangey Lhaden Sports Academy (SLSA) has provided technical expertise under coach Prem Chandra Singh. This seamless regional-to-national pipeline is one of India’s biggest strengths.
India’s Medal History at the WWC
India has been a steady medal contender at the WWC, particularly in Sanda. Some key milestones include:
- 2019 (Shanghai): Vikrant Baliyan – Bronze (60kg)
- 2017 (Kazan): Surya Bhanu Pratap Singh – Bronze (60kg)
- 2015 (Jakarta): Y Sanathoi Devi, Uchit Sharma, Pooja Kadian – Silver; Surya Bhanu – Bronze
- 2013 (Kuala Lumpur): Multiple silvers and bronzes including Pooja Kadian and Y Sanathoi Devi
- 2003 & 2005: Early bronzes by Megha Bisht, Sonu Devi, and Gajender Singh
However, India is still chasing its first-ever senior WWC gold medal, a feat the 2025 squad will be desperate to achieve.
Key Storylines to Watch
- Namrata Batra’s Historic Momentum – Fresh from her World Games silver, she enters Brazil as India’s top medal hope.
- Veteran Consistency – Surya Bhanu Pratap Singh and Vikrant Baliyan aim to add to their WWC tally and inspire the younger crop.
- Roshibina’s Redemption – After her Asian Games silver, she will look to go one step higher on the podium.
- Taolu Breakthroughs – Can Hanjabam Langlentombi Devi replicate her Asian Taolu Cup heroics on the world stage?
- First-Ever Gold? – With momentum and depth, Brazil could finally be the stage where India crosses that elusive barrier.
Strategic Outlook
For India to maximize its performance in Brasília:
- Sanda must deliver medals as the backbone discipline.
- Taolu needs consistent execution to capitalize on recent momentum and establish itself as a medal source.
- Regional pipelines must be leveraged to unearth more talents like Wangsu and Langlentombi.
- Funding and exposure should be scaled up, using recent historic results as leverage to attract sponsors and government support.
The 17th World Wushu Championships 2025 represent a watershed moment for India’s wushu journey. With Sanda specialists carrying proven credentials and Taolu athletes showing unprecedented promise, this is perhaps the most balanced Indian squad ever fielded.
If the team translates recent continental and global form into consistent performances, India could return from Brazil with its largest medal haul yet—and potentially, its first-ever World Championship gold.
India’s Squad
Sanda: Sagar Dahiya, Ravi Panchal, Surya Bhanu Pratap Singh, Rushikesh Pundalik Malore, Vikrant Baliyan, Aparna, Kareena Kaushik, Shivani
Taolu: Mayanglambam Suraj Singh, Hanjabam Karnajit Singh, Shashi Tamang, Hanjabam Langlentombi Devi, Nyeman Wangsu
