The 13th Zhengzhou International Shaolin
Martial Arts Festival will be held from October 17 to 22. Martial arts masters from around the world will gather at the "Center of Heaven and Earth" to compete and showcase their skills. The event will feature traditional and innovative activities, highlighting the charm and allure of "Kung Fu Zhengzhou." This information was shared at a press conference held by the Provincial Government Information Office.
### 2,560 Athletes Register to Compete
The Zhengzhou International Shaolin Martial Arts Festival, aimed at promoting Shaolin martial arts culture and fostering international exchange and cooperation, was first held in 1991. Over the past 12 editions, it has grown into a major event. The 13th edition is organized by the Henan Provincial Government and co-hosted by the Henan Sports Bureau and the Zhengzhou Municipal Government, with preparations nearly complete.
This year’s festival will include two traditional activities and five innovative activities. The traditional events are the Shaolin Martial Arts Competition and the Chinese Martial Arts Rank System (International) Evaluation. The innovative events include a collective Shaolin Kung Fu performance, the first-ever Kung Fu Zhengzhou International Combat Championship, the Sino-U.S. Youth Martial Arts (Shaolin) Training Camp, a series of "Wonderful Kung Fu Tours," and a "Cambodian Boxing Revisits Shaolin Boxing" event. Additionally, there will be cultural exchanges and kung fu-related tourism activities during the festival.
As of now, 2,560 athletes from 56 countries and regions have registered for the competition. International exchanges between the U.S. and Cambodia will also take place. Officials from the International Wushu Federation, UNESCO World Heritage Foundation, and other international organizations, as well as diplomats and guests, will attend.
This festival follows the principle of "meeting friends through martial arts and improving together." In addition to Shaolin Kung Fu, various other recognized martial arts styles and routines from around the world are welcome to participate.
The event will offer a wide range of activities, including martial arts competitions, international rank exams, combat championships, Kung Fu tours, and international martial arts exchanges. Additionally, cultural tourism events will be held to enhance the quality of cultural experiences.
### 30,000 Kung Fu Kids Perform at the Welcome Ceremony
Since its founding in 1991, the Zhengzhou International Shaolin Martial Arts Festival has attracted over 40,000 athletes from more than 100 countries, becoming a major international martial arts event.
Martial arts competitions are the festival’s core. With support from the International Wushu Federation and the National Sports Administration's Wushu Department, the event will feature five categories, six major events, and 315 sub-events. Participants range from 82 years old to as young as four. The festival will also host the first-ever Kung Fu Zhengzhou Combat Championship and international martial arts cultural exchanges. All venues, equipment, schedules, and referees are ready.
The festival's welcome ceremony will feature a 13-kilometer-long kung fu performance along the route from Songshan Shaolin Temple to the opening venue, with 30,000 kung fu kids performing. The opening ceremony and artistic performances will take place at a martial arts school for the first time. Themed "Shaolin Kung Fu: The Source, Kung Fu Zhengzhou," the ceremony will highlight Zhengzhou as a global kung fu hub. The performances will include three chapters: “Opening the Gates: Passing on the Martial Arts,” “Standing Between Heaven and Earth: Harmonizing the World,” and “Gathering from All Corners: Inviting the Nation to Martial Arts.” Performers include students from the Tagou Martial Arts School, the Huaxia Ancient Music Troupe from Henan Museum, and the Zhengzhou Philharmonic Orchestra.
### Focus on Youth
This year's festival includes more planned activities and innovative communication strategies, with a special focus on attracting young people. A new Youth Martial Arts Elite Competition has been introduced, divided into Group A (under 11) and Group B (12 to 17). Nearly 1,300 young martial artists will compete in 195 events.
For the first time, a Sino-U.S. Youth Elite Martial Arts Training Camp will be held. In collaboration with the U.S. Wushu Federation, 11 young American martial artists have been invited to participate. Through martial arts, this camp aims to build a bridge for cultural exchange between Chinese and American youth, fostering cooperation and friendship across various fields.
Additionally, the "Source of Martial Arts Songshan: First Kung Fu Zhengzhou International Combat Championship" will be launched. This event will combine traditional Shaolin Kung Fu with modern combat sports, adding both entertainment value and professional expertise. Participants include top fighters from Russia, Brazil, Iran, Thailand, and other countries, enhancing Zhengzhou's influence in the global combat sports community and strengthening the "Kung Fu Zhengzhou" brand.
### Enhancing Cultural Tourism
The festival aims to integrate sports, culture, and tourism with the concept of "sports as the platform, culture as the focus, and tourism as the show." Various events, such as the "Wonderful Kung Fu Tours," the International Combat Championship, central China cuisine tasting, and kung fu-themed cultural products, will promote the fusion of Zhengzhou's cultural, tourism, and sports sectors. Through martial arts competitions and exchanges, participants will demonstrate their skills, share martial arts knowledge, and help promote Shaolin Kung Fu and Chinese martial arts worldwide.
The festival will also enhance cultural exchanges between countries, strengthening Zhengzhou's brand as the "Center of Heaven and Earth, the Hometown of the Yellow Emperor, and Kung Fu Zhengzhou." It will showcase Zhengzhou's new image as a cultural, youthful, international, tech-forward, and service-oriented city.
