The Philippines found its way to the podium through teamwork and precision as the men’s duilian squad produced the country’s only medal at the 4th IWUF Taolu World Cup in Haikou, China.
The Quezon City-based trio of Sandrex Gainsan, Mark Lester Ragay, and Mark Anthony Polo delivered a synchronized performance at the Haikou Wuyuanhe Stadium on Wednesday, July 8, scoring 9.630 points to capture the bronze medal in a highly competitive international field.
Facing elite representatives from nearly 30 countries, the Filipino athletes showcased the timing, discipline, and coordination required in the demanding duilian event, where teamwork and technical execution determine success.
Their podium finish placed the Philippines alongside wushu powerhouses Iran and Indonesia, who claimed the gold and silver medals with scores of 9.666 and 9.660, respectively.
The Wushu Federation-Philippines praised the trio for their achievement and highlighted the qualities that carried them to the medal round.
“These gentlemen continue to make their city and the nation proud. Their choreography, synchronization, and teamwork earned the country a podium finish against the world’s elite taolu athletes. Great work, Team Pilipinas!” Wushu Federation-Philippines stated on its social media post.
While the men’s duilian team provided the Philippines’ medal highlight, some of the country’s biggest names narrowly missed the podium.
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On July 8, the 4th IWUF Taolu World Cup concluded in Haikou. The two-day tournament welcomed elite athletes from 18 countries and regions, who competed brilliantly for medals. A total of 22 gold medals were awarded in the end, with China topping the medal table with 8 golds. pic.twitter.com/cyU5GEHOnB
— Hainan Today (@HainanToday) July 9, 2026
Top national wushu athlete Agatha Wong finished sixth in the women’s Taijiquan event after recording 9.716 points, while Jones Llabres Inso placed seventh in the men’s competition.
The Haikou tournament featured more than 200 athletes from 29 countries and regions, all competing across 22 events during the two-day competition.
Organized by the International Wushu Federation, the Taolu World Cup is considered one of the sport’s most prestigious competitions outside the World Wushu Championships.
Qualification was limited to athletes who finished inside the top eight of their respective events at the previous World Wushu Championships, ensuring a field packed with the world’s best performers.
The competition tested athletes across four major disciplines: fist routines, long weapons, short weapons, and duilian, with 11 men’s events and 11 women’s events producing a total of 22 gold medals.
The Philippines’ bronze medal also comes at a significant time for the sport, with wushu preparing for a historic milestone later this year. The martial art will make its debut as an official medal sport at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, marking its first inclusion in the Olympic sports program.
With emerging talents continuing to gain international exposure, the Haikou performance serves as another reminder of the Philippines’ growing presence in the global wushu scene.
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