Airlangga Hartarto hopes Wushu will keep the gold tradition at the Asian Games

Chairman of the General Board of Wushu Indonesia (PB WI), Airlangga Hartarto. (Photo: PB WI Doc)

JAKARTA - Airlangga Hartarto hopes that the wushu sport branch (cabor) can maintain the tradition of the Asian Games gold medal in the implementation of this year's edition in Japan after he was officially inaugurated as the General Chairman of the Indonesian Wushu General Manager (PB WI).

The Coordinating Minister for the Indonesian Economy for the period 2024-2029 was inaugurated together with the PB WI management by KONI Central General Chairman Marciano Norman at Aloft Hotels, West Jakarta, on Friday, June 12, 2026. He will occupy the chairman's seat for the 2026-2030 term.

Airlangga after the inauguration said that the challenge of wushu sports in the future would be increasingly difficult, especially trying to be able to return to performing well in competition on the Asian Games stage.

"We really hope that in the Asian Games, wushu can also contribute gold medals because in previous Asian Games, wushu has always participated and won gold medals," he said.

In the Asian countries' sports festival, wushu was recorded as having won one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals at the 2018 edition held in Jakarta and Palembang. The gold was contributed by Lindswel Kwok.

The next edition which took place in Hangzhou in September 2023, wushu maintained its performance by winning one gold medal, two silver medals, and two bronze medals. The contribution of the gold medal presented by Haris Horatius was one of the seven gold medals won by the Indonesian contingent.

In addition to looking at the Asian Games, the PB WI is also preparing the long-term foundation when wushu is officially competed in the Olympic Games. One of the main strategies is to do a total regeneration.

Airlangga said that they would continue to try to mobilize athletes such as Seraf Naro Patricia Geraldine who are being intensively prepared to enter the senior level.

"Experience is very important, as well as mental and motivation. So that's what is challenging for us," said Airlangga.

On that occasion, Marciano invited all parties to provide full support to the coaching led by Airlangga Hartarto in order to maintain the glory of Indonesian wushu on the world stage for the next four years.

"My great hope is that at the upcoming Asian Games, Wushu will once again be a sport that gives Indonesia gold medals and makes us all proud of its achievements," he said.

The PB WI continues to make intensive preparations at the national training center (Pelatnas) to welcome the 2026 Asian Games even though so far there has been no liquid funds from the government.

The 2026 Asian Games are scheduled to take place from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi and Nagoya. Approximately 46 countries will take part in the multi-branch sports festival.