Wushu will be contested for the first time as an official Olympic competition sport at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. Swiss Wushu has nominated Leandro Luong to participate. The nomination must still be confirmed by Swiss Olympic.

A historic moment lies ahead for Swiss Wushu: From 31 October to 13 November 2026, the Youth Olympic Games will take place in Dakar, Senegal. For the first time in history, a major Olympic event will be held on the African continent. Around 2,700 young athletes are expected. The programme comprises 25 official competition sports and a total of 153 medal events.

The Youth Olympic Games are a top-level sporting event for the best young athletes from around the world. Young athletes who are no older than 17 at the time of the Games are eligible to participate. Alongside the sporting competitions, education, cultural exchange and the promotion of Olympic values also play an important role.

Wushu on the Olympic stage for the first time

For the international Wushu community, the Games in Dakar are of very special significance. Wushu will be contested there for the first time as an official medal sport at an event of the Olympic movement. Together with baseball and skateboarding, Wushu is one of three sports making their debut at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

A total of 48 Wushu athletes from various countries are expected. Four events will be held: Changquan/Gunshu Combined and Taijiquan/Taijishan Combined, each for women and men. The Wushu competitions will take place from 1 to 3 November 2026 at the Dakar Expo Center.

The fact that Wushu is becoming part of an official Olympic competition programme for the first time represents an important milestone in the global development of the sport. At the same time, it offers a unique opportunity to showcase the dynamism, precision, athleticism and cultural diversity of modern Wushu to an international Olympic audience.

Participation is also of great significance for Swiss Wushu. As a comparatively small sports federation, Swiss Wushu has the opportunity to represent Switzerland at a historic event and become part of the first Olympic generation of Wushu.

Leandro Luong nominated by Swiss Wushu

Swiss Wushu has nominated Leandro Luong as the only Swiss Wushu athlete to participate in the 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

It is important to distinguish between nomination by the national sports federation and official selection by Swiss Olympic: Leandro Luong’s nomination must still be confirmed by Swiss Olympic. The official selection for the Youth Olympic Games will take place on 18 September 2026.

An experienced young athlete

Leandro Luong was born on 12 January 2009 and will be 17 during the Youth Olympic Games. He trains at the Wushu Centre Bern and in 2026 belongs to the highest Swiss junior national squad (A). He is also the holder of a Swiss Olympic Talent Card.

Despite his young age, Leandro already has extensive national and international competition experience. Among other events, he has represented Switzerland at several World Junior Championships and has developed into one of Switzerland’s most successful young athletes in recent years.

He won two gold medals at the 2022 European Wushu Championships. In 2026, Leandro once again demonstrated his international calibre. At the 20th European Wushu Championships, he won two silver medals and one bronze medal.

These results demonstrate his consistency and broad technical training. They are the result of long-term development, intensive training and numerous international appearances.

A great honour and responsibility

The nomination for Dakar 2026 is an exceptional distinction for both Leandro Luong and Swiss Wushu. It recognises not only his achievements to date, but also his continuous commitment and development as an athlete.

At the same time, the nomination comes with a special responsibility. Leandro has the opportunity to represent Switzerland and Swiss Wushu when Wushu is contested for the first time as part of an Olympic event. He could therefore become one of the first Wushu athletes ever to compete in official Olympic medal events.

Swiss Wushu is proud to have nominated Leandro Luong for this historic event and will prepare and support him as well as possible over the coming months for the task ahead.

The remaining preparation time must now be used to the best possible effect. At the same time, Swiss Wushu is awaiting formal confirmation of the nomination by Swiss Olympic. The official selection and communication by Swiss Olympic will take place on 18 September 2026.

Regardless of this, one thing is already clear today: the inclusion of Wushu in the Youth Olympic Games programme for the first time is a major step for our sport. For Swiss Wushu, it is a great honour to be able to contribute to this historic chapter.