Airlangga Hartarto Targets Wushu to Defend Gold Medal at 2026 Asian Games

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian Wushu General Board (PB WI), Airlangga Hartarto, aims to keep the sports he leads from winning gold medals in the Asian Games, which this year will take place in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan.

He conveyed this after being elected by acclamation at the National Congress (Munas) of the PB WI which took place at the Aloft Hotel, Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta, on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. This is the third period he has held the position.

"For the 2026 Asian Games, we will prepare through the centralization of national training. Hopefully, the gold medal achievement in the Asian Games we can maintain," said Airlangga, who is also the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs of Indonesia.

The wushu branch managed to bring home one gold medal, two silver medals, and two bronze medals from the 2022 edition of the Asian Games - which was postponed for a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic - in Hangzhou, China.

The only gold medal at that time was won by Harris Horatius from the nanquan/nangun number. Meanwhile, the two silver medals belong to Edgar Xavier Marvelo and Samuel Marbun and the one entitled to the bronze medal is Seraf Naro Siregar and Tharisa Dea Florentina.

Airlangga said that being re-elected by members to become chairman was an honor and at the same time gave him a great responsibility regarding the future of wushu which must be better.

"The most important thing is of course to continue the achievements, both in single events and multievents and then make a roadmap for the 2032 Olympics. So, we have to train and train young athletes," he said.

Airlangga is certain to occupy the chair of the Indonesian wushu general chairman until 2030. He has confidence because in the eight years of his previous leadership, wushu has achieved various achievements.

The 63-year-old politician hopes that his third term as chairman can fight for wushu to be contested in the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane after this year will appear at the Youth Olympic Games.

"Of course we want to prepare for the Olympics and now it has been competed in the Youth Olympic Games. So, that's one of the signs for wushu to move to the next stage again," he said.

The 2026 Asian Games are scheduled to take place from September 19 to October 4. Wushu could return to being a mainstay after in the last two editions always contributed gold medals for Indonesia.