History Made by USA Wushu
- Jul 1
- 3 min read
In the 2026 FISU World University Championship, held in Brasília, the United States won the nation’s first gold medal in FISU World University Wushu Championship history.
The U.S. Wushu team, led by Sifu Bryant Fong - one of the early pioneers of Wushu in America and a Professor at UC Berkeley and City College of San Francisco - finished the Championship with six total medals: one gold, two silvers, and three bronze.
The history-making gold medal was won by Zheng Zhou in the Men's Gunshu division.
"Representing Team USA at the 2026 FISU World University Championship Combat Sports was one of the greatest honors of my athletic career. Competing against the world’s top university athletes, I had the privilege of showcasing my skills on the international stage while proudly wearing the USA uniform. Through months of disciplined training, perseverance, and dedication, I earned the opportunity to stand atop the podium as a gold medalist. This experience reinforced my commitment to excellence, resilience under pressure, and the values of sportsmanship while representing my country with pride."
- Zheng Zhou, Men's Gunshu Gold Medalist, USA University Wushu Team
The National Chinese Wushu Association of America, which is the oldest American Wushu Association (established in 1978), is dedicated to the promotion of Modern and Traditional Wushu. It is through the NCWAA and the Univeristy of California, with recognition by the USAWKF, that Sifu Bryant Fong and his team had the opportunity to represent the United States in the World University Championships.
The team consisted of 6 members:
Lanhong Huang of Northeastern University in the Women's Changquan (4th), Putu (Kaika) Kusuma of UC Berkeley in the Women's Jianshu (3rd) and Women's Qiangshu (3rd), Ashton Wu of De Anza College in the Men's Changquan (2nd), Zheng Zhou of Capital University of Physical Education & Sports in the Men's Daoshu (3rd) and Men's Gunshu (1st), Nathan Chao of UCSD in the Men's Nanquan (2nd) and Men's Nangun (6th), and Ethan Zhu of UC Berkeley in the Men's Taijiquan (5th) and Men's Taijijian (5th).
“I’m incredibly proud of what the USA University Wushu Team achieved in Brasília. Finishing sixth in the Wushu medal table and 14th overall across all five combat sports is a historic milestone for Team USA, marking our most successful Wushu performance at a FISU Championship to date and the nation’s first gold medal in FISU Wushu Championship history.
What makes this achievement especially meaningful is the depth of talent behind it. The team was selected from a very strong group of candidates, many of whom were also capable of representing the United States on this stage. In Brasília, our athletes competed with skill, professionalism, and pride. Their performances reflected the continued growth of university-level Wushu in the United States.
Brasília was an excellent experience for everyone involved. The FISU Championship was well organized, logistics were smooth, and the athletes were welcomed with the warm hospitality Brazil is known for. Having the venue, hotel, and meals all connected in one facility also made a big difference in helping everyone stay focused.
On behalf of the entire team, I'd like to thank UniUSA, BTI Events, the National Chinese Wushu Association (NCWA), CalWushu and the University of California Martial Arts Program (UCMAP), the United States of America Wushu-Kungfu Federation (USAWKF), and the Tiger Claw Foundation for their continued support. I’d also like to thank Eugene Moy for his on-site leadership, coaching, and guidance throughout the week.
We look forward to building on this success and seeing more outstanding university athletes represent Team USA at future FISU Wushu events.”
- Bryant Fong, Head Coach of the USA University Wushu Team.
Congratulations to the team on their incredible achievement👏 It is an honor to mark this milestone in UniUSA and FISU history.
To view final results, visit championships-results.fisu.net
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By Jarah Lemus
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