STORY: Wushu Sanda fighting competition held in Lebanon
DATELINE: Aug. 9, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:15
LOCATION: Beirut
CATEGORY: SPORTS
 
SHOTLIST:
1. various of the Wushu Sanda fighting competition in Lebanon
2. various of the audience watching
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabs): MARC ABOU KHALIL, Contestant
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabs): JOE ABOU KHALIL, Coach
5. various of the Wushu Sanda fighting competition in Lebanon
6. various of the audience watching
 
STORYLINE:
 
Young Lebanese men and women took part on Sunday in the first edition of Wushu Sanda Fighting Competition in Tabarja, a small town near the capital city of Beirut.
 
The competition gathered local and international fighters to show Sanda techniques.
 
Wushu, a Chinese martial art and a full-contact sport, comprises two disciplines: Taolu (forms) and Sanda (sparring).
 
Sanda is a modern fighting method that combines kickboxing, wrestling, and grappling techniques.
 
SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabs): MARC ABOU KHALIL, Contestant
"I am thrilled today, I practiced a lot for this competition. I have been practicing for two months. I hope to be able to participate in the world championship."
 
SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabs): JOE ABOU KHALIL, Coach
"The medal is not the goal in life; some people cannot make it to the medal, does this mean they are not good? Not at all. Our interest is to raise people and prepare them to care for their nation. How? This game is not only about fighting, it is also about how to deal with people when we are under stress, and how to raise these children."
 
The event also saw some entertaining shows, including performances by the dancing group "Artists and More," as well as a Kung Fu show.
 
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Beirut.
(XHTV)