The International Wushu Federation Executive Board voted to make several changes to the competition rules of the sport ©IWUF

The International Wushu Federation (IWUF) have announced changes to judging and marketing of the sport following its 35th Executive Board Meeting in Macau.

Proposed rule changes were presented and voting on to make, what it is claimed, will make wushu a more modern and standardised sport.

In the competition side, the structure of judges has changed.

Five judges, as opposed to the current three, will score the performances, increasing the objectivity in scoring.

A Judges Committee is to be established, separate from the IWUF to make it more independent.

The Committee will be responsible for all judge training, educational materials development, evaluations, certification, appointment for events, evaluation of performance, data keeping, and overall monitoring and management.

The independent group is due to be founded and functioning prior to the 2019 15th World Wushu Championships in Shanghai, where the Committee will take effect.

The head judge will no longer participate in the B Group's overall performance valuation and scoring.

The role will now only entail organising and implementing judges’ groups.

The 35th International Wushu Federation Executive Board meeting took place in Macau and made a series of key decisions they hope will make the sport more attractive ©IWUF
The 35th International Wushu Federation Executive Board meeting took place in Macau and made a series of key decisions they hope will make the sport more attractive ©IWUF

There is also a new process for appointing the jury of appeals.

Th IWUF President and/or the Executive Board will appoint members to the independent jury.

The IWUF will also change the current age categories to align themselves with those recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The IOC’s age range guidelines for junior athletes depend on the birthdate of the athlete, between January 1 and December 31.

The new age categories are set to come into effect at the 3rd World Taijiquan Championships due to be held in Burgas in Bulgaria from September 25 to October 2. 

For the marketing of the sport, the IWUF Executive Board have announced the establishment of The International Wushu C., Ltd. (IWC).

The IWC is expected to oversee a variety of responsibilities.

According to the Executive Board, the IWC will manage and develop IWUF sponsorship programmes, provide consulting and supporting services for wushu competitions, events and promotions, develop and manage the IWUF licensed products, manage sponsorship and cooperation contracts, and ensure that services committed are delivered accordingly.