Little did Bianca Go know a demonstration that piqued her interest at a Chinese New Year’s celebration would have her traveling the world years later.
The 16-year-old Grade 11 student at Steveston-London Secondary School has established herself as one of the country’s best at Wushu — a modern exhibition of traditional martial arts.
Go thrives in the Taolu (forms) discipline and double straight sword is her speciality. She proved that by using her impressive athleticism and flexibility to place fifth in her debut at the recent 13th World Wushu Championships in Indonesia.
Now, Go is back home training for her next big event - the Canadian Junior Nationals in Toronto come February. If she does the expected, she will also be representing her Canada again at the Junior Worlds late next year.
“I started about five-and-half years ago, but it’s been only the last couple of the years where I have been training a lot more,” said Go who works with her coach Wang Heng at least four times a week with Pacific WushAu, based out of Richmond Sports and Fitness, located on No. 5 Road.
“I would best describe Wushu as a modern martial art where you learn and perform routines. What I like about it is there are so many options — hand form, straight sword and double straight sword. It also helps me with balance (in my life) between physical activity and school.”
Go didn’t know what to expect at Worlds. Her spot on the Canadian team wasn’t secured until late August at trials back in Ontario.
She would be the second youngest to earn a spot on the team.
She spent about 10 days at the championships, adjusting to a significant change in the time of day and climate.
“It was an amazing experience,” she continued. “It was really hot, over 30C everyday, and we were training outside so that took some getting used to. Then there was the jet lag too.”
The leading medal winners reflect Wushu’s worldwide popularity with China, Indonesia, Iran, Hong Kong and Russia at the top of the standings.
Go’s competition schedule is quite hectic but she wants to take advantage of her final year of eligibility to compete at Junior Worlds for the first time. That event will take place in Myanmar.
She will also have the opportunity to compete at the senior level too in 2016 at the Pan American Wushu Championships, slated for next summer in Texas.
“The more competitions, the more time I’m here,” laughed Go, about to start her two-hour training session.
