The 12th World Grand Wushu Festival Shanghai was held from Sept 18 to 23, attracting over 5,000 participants from 35 countries and regions, including more than 300 international competitors.

Students from Fudan University delivered outstanding performances. Alice Friberg, a student from Sweden in the International Cultural Exchange School, won two third-place prizes in the women's tai chi category for her performances of the 32-form Yang-style tai chi sword and the 24-form tai chi performance.

Muhammed Boye Jallow, a 2023 master's student from The Gambia at the Human Phenome Institute, received the excellence award in the men's Chinese boxing category for his impressive demonstration of xingyiquan, one of China's traditional boxing styles.

This was the first time Fudan University included international students in an international martial arts competition. Established in 1982, the Fudan Wushu Team is one of China’s first university-level high-level sports teams and has earned excellent results in martial arts competitions over the years.

Reflecting on the moments before performances, Alice said she was "very nervous". She competed alongside both fellow amateurs and professional athletes. But with the encouragement of her teammates, she quickly calmed down and showed focus and composure in the arena, while integrating her own understanding of tai chi into her performance.

In February of this year, Alice began her Chinese learning journey at Fudan following her bachelor's degree from the University of Gothenburg. Fluent in Swedish, French, and English, she has long been interested in Chinese culture, which inspired her decision to study in China. She looked forward to learning more about Chinese culture and experiencing the university’s diverse campus life.

This summer, upon learning that the Fudan Wushu Team was recruiting participants, she signed up without hesitation. She had seen people practicing tai chi in Sweden before, but never had the opportunity to learn it systematically.

Under the guidance of the team coach, Kong Fanhui, she quickly grasped the fundamentals. "Tai chi emphasizes balance — between movement and stillness, fast and slow. This aligns with the values of Chinese culture." For her, playing tai chi has not only become a way to understand Chinese culture but also allows her to calm down when facing stress.

In the men's traditional boxing competition, Muhammed Boye Jallow's xingyiquan performance left a deep impression. Upon signing up for the competition, he devoted his summer break to intensive training with the Wushu Team. He was struck by the power of xingyiquan, noting that it emphasizes internal strength and requires practitioners to fully mobilize their body and mind in close combat.

Martial arts have not only helped him build a stronger physique but also allowed him to make like-minded Chinese friends. His willpower has also been strengthened, as "wushu values not just defense, but also self-control and self-discipline."

In 2019, Jallow was admitted to Fudan University as an undergraduate student in the School of Life Sciences, where he first learned about wushu. "Wushu is one of my greatest interests in China because it represents the profound history and culture of China," he said.

Now, as a graduate student at the Human Phenome Institute, his research focuses on biochemistry and molecular biology, a cutting-edge field he considers highly significant for the future of human health. Driven by his passion for scientific research, he plans to continue exploring and contributing to his field in the years ahead.

Source: Official WeChat account of International Students Office of Fudan University at "fudaniso"