By Wushu is one of the most dynamic and disciplined martial arts in the world. With 80+ countries participating in competitions worldwide, Wushu is also one of the most famous martial arts. However, there’s a debate over who the best Wushu player in the world is, which just doesn’t seem to end. Today, we will try to put an end to the debate with our list of the best Wushu players in the world. So, without any further ado, let’s just get started.
Best Wushu Athletes in the world
To keep this list unbiased, we have ranked the players by the number of championships they have won. So, let’s find out who is the best Wushu player in the world.
10- Anthony Goh (Malaysia)
Southeast Asia’s presence on the world podium owes much to athletes like Anthony Goh of Malaysia, whose career proved that consistent excellence could emerge outside traditional power centres. Goh captured one World Wushu Championship gold medal, along with several podium finishes, by maintaining technical parity with far deeper Chinese talent pools. His achievements represent the global reach and competitive maturity of modern Wushu.
IWUF Championships: 1
9- Jet Lee (China)
When determining the best Wushu player in the world, you can’t just look past Jet Lee. Not only is he an icon in the world of movies, but also in Wushu. However, Jet Lee has no Wushu World championships to his name; it’s safe to presume that he is among the top Wushu players ever. This is because during his active years, there was no governing body like the International Wushu Federation (IWUF), so no championships were held. But his Chinese Championships have been promoted to the world by the governing body.
Championships: 5
8- Zhao Changjun (China)
Another early international standout is Zhao Changjun of China, whose career bridged domestic dominance and global recognition. With two World Wushu Championship gold medals, Zhao succeeded at a time when Wushu was transitioning into a fully globalised sport with rising international competition. His success reinforced China’s competitive supremacy while simultaneously helping elevate judging rigour worldwide, which is why people consider him the best Wushu player in the world.
IWUF Championships: 2
7- Jia Jiang Liang (China)
Power-based Nanquan specialists hold a very sacred place in the world of Wushu, and Jia is among the very best Nanquan players out there. Winning two World Wushu Championship gold medals, Jiang combined explosive force with textbook precision, producing routines that set structural standards for the discipline internationally. His athletic profile reflects how southern styles reward controlled aggression without sacrificing form. He might not be the best Wushu player in the world, but he’s definitely made our list.
IWUF Championships: 2
6- He Jingde (China)
One of the most influential players in Wushu, He Jingde of China, whose competitive record reflects exceptional consistency rather than brief brilliance. With three World Wushu Championship gold medals, his performances were marked by near-perfect execution scores across multiple championship editions. His ability to deliver error-free routines under pressure demonstrates how discipline, as much as physical control, can work wonders. Let’s just say that he is the best Wushu player in the world in his own regard.
IWUF Championships: 3
5- Zhang Hongmei (China)
Internal styles demand a different form of excellence, where balance, structure, and controlled energy define success, and Zhang Hongmei exemplified these qualities at the highest level, making him the best Wushu player in some lists, and rightly so. Winning three World Wushu Championship gold medals in Taijiquan, she set benchmarks for stability and fluid power that later became reference points for international judging. Her dominance reinforced the legitimacy of internal styles within the competitive Wushu ecosystem.
IWUF Championships: 3
4- Li Jing (China)
Wushu has produced some of the most competitive women, whose mastery of the martial arts rivals that of their male counterparts. In a long list of such women, Li Jing stands out as among the finest. With three World Wushu Championship gold medals, she played a key role in elevating difficulty standards in women’s Changquan and Daoshu during the 1990s. Her performances coincided with a phase when international women’s Wushu transitioned from graceful presentation to explosive, high-risk execution judged by elite technical metrics, just like their male counterparts.
IWUF Championships: 3
3- Hossein Ojaghi (Iran)
Over the years, numerous Sanda players have transitioned to Wushu and made a name for themselves. Hossein Ojaghi is one of them. Moreover, Ojaghi is the only Iranian in this list, which might not make him the best Wushu player in the world, but surely in Iran. Ojaghi won four World Wushu Championship gold medals, combining tactical intelligence with devastating striking precision that repeatedly dismantled elite opponents on the world stage. His consistency across multiple championship cycles places him firmly among the most accomplished fighters the sport has produced.
IWUF Championships: 4
2- Muslim Salikhov (Russia)
Muslim Salikov is one of the only two non-Chinese Wushu players ever to win the Wushu World Championship, and he did it five times. His ability to repeatedly defeat top Chinese fighters under IWUF rules solidified his status as one of the greatest competitive Wushu athletes ever. His Sanda background and willpower enabled him to become among the best Wushu Players in the world. He currently competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which is home to the best MMA fighters of all time.
IWUF Championships: 5
1- Yuan Wenqing (China)
Any serious conversation about the Best Wushu Player in the World inevitably begins with Yuan Wenqing of China. This name still echoes through professional training halls decades after his retirement. Between 1991 and 2001, Yuan Wenqing won seven World Wushu Championship gold medals, dominating Changquan, Daoshu, and Gunshu with a level of difficulty that judges had never encountered before. What truly separated him from his peers was not just winning, but forcing the judging system to evolve around his technical ceiling.
IWUF Championships: 7
Athletes that Changed Wushu Forever!
Wushu is relatively new, with its governing body being founded in 1990. However, ever since then, the sport has taken over the martial arts world, and for all the good reasons. A sport steeped in discipline, mutual respect and cultural & historical significance, Wushu is a sport where you can’t afford any mistake, if winning is what you want. We shared the best Wushu player in the world, along with some who were very, very close to making the list. We hope you liked our blog. If you did, don’t forget to follow us on our social media handles and never miss a blog post from SportsnScoop.
