This October, 2009, the U.S. team had some of its best results at a world championship as it brought home its first ever gold and silver medals in taolu competition.
The 10th World Wushu Championships were held in Toronto, Canada, from October 24 to 29, 2009. Over 567 competitors from 73 countries were in attendance. Led by Delegation Leader and USAWKF President Anthony Goh and U.S. Team Manager Malee Khow, the U.S. team was not at full strength. Due to injuries and other circumstances, several athletes had been forced to withdraw: the taolu and sanshou teams, which would normally consist of ten athletes each, were reduced to nine and five members, respectively.
But what the U.S. team lacked in numbers it made up for with results. On the very first day of competition Alfred Hsing won the U.S.'s first ever gold medal in taolu events when he captured first place in men's straight sword. The same day, Colvin Wang won our second medal, taking the silver in men's spear. By the end of the championships, U.S. taolu competitors had placed in the top eight in an additional six events, making these easily the best results ever for the U.S. taolu team at a world championship.
Our sanshou athletes also performed well against tough competition, with Max Chen and Alex Cisne both making it to the quarterfinals.
Congratulations to all the U.S. athletes who performed so well! Thanks are also in order to all of the U.S. team officials, coaches, and judges for their hard work, and to the athletes' coaches, friends, and families for their support!
USAWKF would also like to express its gratitude to Tiger Claw, Inc., for their sponsorship of the U.S. team, and for their continuing support of USAWKF over the past several years. Their support is important in enabling USAWKF to participate in national and international events.
The Final U.S. Delegation
Officials
Delegation Leader: Anthony Goh
Deputy Delegation Leader and Taolu Team Leader: Malee Khow
IWUF Technical Committee Member: Xiaolin Lu
Taolu Coach: Zhang Guifeng
Assistant Taolu Coach: Bangjun Jiang
Assistant Taolu Coach: Stephon Morton
Sanshou Team Leader and Coach: Ian Lee
Sanshou Coach: Jeff Chow
Assistant Sanshou Coach: Carmine Downey
Sanshou Judge: Anthony Sims
Taolu Team
Male Female
Alfred Hsing Sarah Chang
Peter Dang Joana Pei
Colvin Wang Ashley Chung
Max Ehrlich Stephanie Lim
Elaine Ho
Sanshou Team
Male Female
Michael Lee (65 kg) Sonia Mejia (52 kg)
Maximillion Chen (70 kg)
Alex Cisne (80 kg)
Kasey Corless (90 kg)
Medal-Winners
Alfred Hsing (gold medal, men's straight sword)
Colvin Wang (silver men, men's spear)
Other Top Eight Finishes
Colvin Wang (8th place, men's straight sword)
Sarah Chang (8th place, women's chang quan)
Max Ehrlich (7th place, men's southern broadsword)
Peter Dang (8th place, men's broadsword)
Joana Pei (5th place, women's broadsword)
Elaine Ho (8th place, women's taiji sword)
Maximillion Chen (8th place (quarterfinals), men's 70 kg sanshou)
Alex Cisne (8th place (quarterfinals), men's 80 kg sanshou)
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