Taha Eshaqi Wins Afghanistan’s First-Ever Asian Wushu Gold

In the 12th Asian Junior and Youth Wushu Championship, held from July 23 to 30 in Shanghai, China, Afghan teenage athlete Mohammad Taha Eshaqi made history by winning a gold medal in the “Taolu” or “Form” category. This marks the first time an Afghan athlete has ever won a gold medal in this section of an official Asian competition.

Eshaqi earned this medal with an outstanding performance of the Tai Chi Jian form, competing against top athletes from renowned Asian countries. Prior to this, he had also secured a silver medal by performing the Tai Chi Quan form. With these two medals, he is now recognized as the most decorated Afghan athlete in the youth category of Wushu.

The Afghan team participated in the championship with five athletes, competing in both the “Form” (Taolu) and “Sanda” (Combat) categories. In addition to Eshaqi’s medals, Ahmad Naveed Akbari also won a bronze medal in the Sanda category in the 52 kg weight class.

The Asian Junior and Youth Wushu Championship is organized by the Wushu Federation of Asia (WFA) and is considered one of the most prestigious events in the sport across the continent. Powerhouse teams from China, Iran, India, Vietnam, and Indonesia were among the strong contenders in the tournament.

Although Eshaqi currently lives and trains in Iran, he represented Afghanistan in the championship. Following their success, the Afghan Wushu team returned to Afghanistan, where they were warmly welcomed by the public and fans, celebrating their remarkable achievements on the international stage.

The success of Afghan athletes in this championship is a significant achievement for the country's sports community and reflects the active and growing presence of young Afghan athletes on the international stage. The winning of three medals in this event offers a promising outlook on the potential and capabilities of Afghanistan’s new generation of athletes.