“It’s overwhelming, we are up against Singapore, we are against big competitors,” is City Councillor and Tai Chi practitioner Peng You’s reaction to Thunder Bay hosting a major martial arts tournament in the summer of 2024.
The International Wushu Federation is awarding the 6th World Taijiquan Championships to Thunder Bay in 2024. It’s been 15 years since Canada has last hosted a World Wushu event of this magnitude. The announcement was made in Shanghai, China recently.
The 2024 championships are set for one week during the summer at Lakehead University’s newly built field house. The games will bring together over 500 competitors and staff from around the world.
Before the 2024 games arrive, Thunder Bay will first host a national competition this summer at LU. 300 competitors are expected in that championship.
The economic impact of the national event is estimated to be $200,000 in direct spending and $500,000 in total economic impact.
