This weekend, Baltic Olympiad of Martial Arts was held in the capital of Latvia where representatives of Wushu style Taijiquan from Lithuania‘s „Taichi association“ became the favourites in this category.
Taichi association“ prizewinners came back to Lithuania with 14 medals. More than 1000 representatives of different martial arts from Latvia, Estonia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Italy, Russia, Afghanistan, Poland, Bulgaria, Moldavia and Lithuania were participating in this Olympiad.
One of the most important parts in the Olympiad was the 4th open contest of Ryga‘s Wushu cup in which the most attention was paid to Taijiquan – one of the most popular styles of Wushu. As the head of „Taichi association“ Vladislovas Lobanovas said, this contest is a great example of martial art style which gives opportunity to people of all ages to participate: „Taijiquan is a perfect choice for those who are concerned with martial aspects, who are searching for the philosophical roots of martial arts and sportive or even meditational practice. This Wushu style has no age limit, everyone is free to gain whatever is relevant to him. People of all ages were participating in the Olympiad, either those who have just overstepped the second decade, or those who already are seventy years old. Thus, age is not an obstacle for participating in a contest. In my point of view, participants of this contest should become a great example for most of the sports enthusiasts in Lithuania“, - said V. Lobanovas which was one of the judges in The Baltic Olympiad of Martial Arts.
Lithuanian team was also accompanied by the vice-president of Lithuania‘s sportive and traditional Wushu federation. One of the judges was a member of Xian Wushu association Wang Xiyin who is teaching Taijiquan in Lithuania for almost 20 years. His pupils have won a number awards in the contest.
The first place of Women Taijiquan 24 forms Taolu contest was taken by Dale Rimkeviciene, the second – Elena Eimont,the third – Dale Rimkeviciene.
The first place of Men Taijiquan 24 forms Taolu contest was taken by Arunas Junda, the second – Gintaras Kalvelis, the third – Dalius Mazeika.
The first place of general Taijiquan 42 forms (Gui-Din) category was taken by Vitalij Versinin, the second –Janina Vanaite, the third – Lina Gudaite.
The first place of Taijiquan 42 forms group performance (Zi-Ci-Xian-Mu) was taken by the members of „Taichi association“. In this particular contest the representatives of our country took the second place.
The organizer of this event is Aleksandras Susoladovas who is the president of sports centre „Marsals Asahi“. The event was sponsored by Latvia‘s martial arts union and local government of Riga.
