Praveen Kumar becomes first Indian man to win gold at Wushu World Championships

Praveen Kumar today became
the first Indian man to win a
Wushu World Championships
gold, beating Russell Diaz of
Philippines in the 48kg
category in Shanghai. The
Indian saw off his Filipino
opponent 2-1 in the men’s
Sanda event of the 15th
World Wushu Championships.

Praveen had earlier defeated
Uzbekistan’s Khasan Ikromov
2-0 in the semi-final
on Tuesday to set up the summit
clash with Diaz.

Among other Indians in the
fray, Poonam (women’s 75kg)
and Sanathoi Devi (women’s
52kg) secured silver medals
while Vikrant Baliyan bagged
the bronze in the men’s 60kg
category.

India finished third overall in
the championship in event
with a gold, two silvers and a
bronze

Wushu is a Chinese martial
art which combines full
contact kickboxing, including
close-range punches and
kicks, with wrestling,
takedowns, throws, sweeps
and kicks catch