10-year-old Liam Samsuria from The Hague is the Dutch champion Wushu and has been selected for the Dutch National Wushu Team. At the end of March 2026, he will represent the Netherlands at the World Junior Wushu Championship in Tianjin, China.
Liam has been practicing this traditional Chinese martial art since he was six years old. In Wushu, strength, balance, flexibility and gracefulness all come together.
During the championship, Liam will compete in several disciplines, including fist form (Chanquan), staff (Gunshu), and broadsword (Daoshu).
“Every training helps me get better,” says Liam. “In Wushu, you learn that the greatest victory is when you overcome yourself.”
Liam in action at the Open Wushu Championship of Flanders, October 2025 (photo B. Bael)
For Liam, participation is extra special because the championship is taking place in China, the country where Wushu originated.
For Liam, participation is an significant step in his athletic development and a unique opportunity to represent the Netherlands internationally.
Tenth World Junior Wushu Championships
Since 2006, the World Junior Wushu Championships have been organized every two years under the umbrella of the International Wushu Federation (IWUF). This is the tenth edition of the championships, and it is being held in Tianjin, China, for the very first time. The event begins March 25th and lasts for five days.
More than 1,000 young athletes from all over the world will be competing.
More information about the championship can be found on the website 10thwjwc.cn (English and Chinese).
Photo of Liam: by B.Sum
Liam can be followed on his LinkedIn
