The 16th edition of the World Wushu Championships recently set Texas alight, marking an unforgettable epic for the Lebanese delegation, led by the President of the Lebanese Wushu Federation, Georges Nseir. Despite economic and geographical challenges, the athletes shone, proudly bearing the colors of Lebanon.
Exceptional Mastery of “Sanda”
The Lebanese delegation, comprising seven outstanding athletes — Georges Saade, Georges Eid, Michel Zammar, Alexandre El Rassi, Elie Bou Gebrael, Barbara El Rassi, and Lydia Salameh — demonstrated exceptional mastery of the demanding “Sanda” discipline.
Overcoming Financial Obstacles
The team triumphed in the face of enormous financial obstacles. The absence of government support compounded the challenges, prompting the federation to explore bold alternatives such as a ‘GoFundMe’ campaign and the generous support of loyal friends of the sport. Athletes, demonstrating their unwavering commitment, also contributed financially to alleviate some of the costs.
Global Training, Universal Success
Scattered all over the world, the members of the delegation had to train individually under the expert guidance of Alain Khneiser and Ryan Merheb, adding a unique dimension to their journey to the summit.
Despite a few setbacks, such as Elie Bou Gebrael’s early exit and Alexandre El Rassi’s injury in the quarterfinals, the team showed exceptional resilience.
Leading Figure: Georges Saade
Georges Saade played a crucial role in the Lebanese delegation’s triumph, standing out with exceptional performances throughout the championship. In the 90kg semi-final, Saade took on American Livingston Mckenzie Jr., delivering a remarkable performance that was hailed as one of the best of the tournament.
His mastery of “Sanda” shone through, revealing strategic techniques and impressive skill that won over the audience. Saade electrified the semi-final, overcoming every obstacle with unwavering determination.
The final was the highlight of his exceptional journey. Faced with a formidable Canadian opponent, Georges Saade displayed impressive technical mastery and strength. With a masterful performance, he took the gold medal, symbolizing victory and excellence in his weight category.
The gold medal won by Saade represents not only a personal triumph, but also a source of inspiration for the entire delegation and a source of national pride. The outstanding performances of Michel Zammar and Georges Eid were rewarded with bronze medals in the semi-finals.
Femininity, Strength, and Medals
Despite losing in the quarterfinals to China, which is ranked number one in the world in this discipline, Barbara El Rassi showed exceptional resilience throughout the competition, winning her match against the Brazilian champion. Meanwhile, Lydia Salameh shone in the semi-final, winning a resounding victory over Egypt’s Roba El Shafei. Although the final ended in defeat to a Tunisian competitor, Lydia Salameh took the silver medal, adding a distinctive touch to Lebanon’s female representation and underlining the continuing potential of wushu in the country.
Four Medals for a National Triumph
In total, Lebanon took home four medals, including two bronze, one silver, and one gold. The participation of the Lebanese Wushu Federation was of particular significance, demonstrating to the world the exceptional strength and talent of Lebanese athletes, already crowned with success in various international competitions. A triumph that will go down in the annals of Lebanese sport.
