NANTONG (China): National wushu backup exponent Kwan Yong Xin is aware that she has one last shot at competing in the 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Dakar, Senegal. As such, the 16-year-old taiji exponent is determined to get cracking right away to ensure her performance will be at the highest level possible by the time the YOG come around.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Yong Xin aims to qualify for the 2026 YOG as it will be her only opportunity due to the age limit of 15 to 18 years for athletes. Despite her recent participation in the World Junior Wushu Championships, she only managed a fifth-place finish in the two taiji disciplines she competed in. Yong Xin transitioned from the jiangshu and qianqshu disciplines to taiji at age 13, following the advice of former national coach Loh Jack Chang, who believed taiji suited her skills.

Recently, Yong Xin showcased her progress by winning the gold medal in the women’s taijiquan event at the ASEAN-China Wushu Championships held at Nantong University. Sh
e scored 8,590 points, surpassing two Singaporean competitors who scored 8,580 and 8,570 points, respectively. In addition to Yong Xin’s achievement, Malaysia secured two more gold medals on the first day of the championships through Sydney Chin Sy Xuan in women’s taijiquan and Wong Zi Hong in men’s taijiquan.