The Wushu Association of Orissa (WAO) successfully conducted the Odisha State Wushu Judges Seminar 2026 on 17–18 July 2026 at Pumas International, bringing together 42 participants from different districts of Odisha for intensive technical training and assessment in Wushu officiating.

The two-day seminar was organised by the Wushu Association of Orissa, hosted by the Wushu Association of Khurda, in association with Pumas International, with the objective of strengthening the state's pool of qualified technical officials and enhancing the standards of judging in both major competitive disciplines of Wushu—Taolu and Sanda.

Comprehensive Technical Training

The seminar featured a combination of expert-led lectures, technical discussions, video analysis and online assessment, providing participants with both theoretical knowledge and practical exposure to the latest requirements of Wushu judging.

The technical sessions were conducted by:

• Ms. Anuradha Dora — Sanda

• Mr. Susanta Kumar Naik — Sanda

• Mr. Divyamohan Pradhan — Taolu

The sessions focused on developing a deeper understanding of competition rules, judging criteria, technical evaluation and decision-making across Taolu events and Sanda bouts.

Guidance from International IWUF Judges

The entire seminar was conducted under the technical guidance of two experienced international Wushu judges from Odisha:

Er. S. S. Harichandan — International Wushu Federation (IWUF) Judge, 1993

Mr. Pradyumna Behera — International Wushu Federation (IWUF) Judge, 2004

Their participation provided the seminar with valuable international-level technical perspective and enabled the participants to understand judging standards and practices followed at higher levels of competition.

The presence of Odisha's pioneering international technical officials also reflected the state's long-standing contribution to the development of Wushu officiating in India.

Professional Learning Environment

The organising team made extensive arrangements to ensure a comfortable and productive learning environment for all participants, particularly those travelling from outside the host district.

Mr. Pruthwiraj Harichandan, Organising Secretary, coordinated the arrangements, which included:

• Dedicated technical seminar venue

• Technical study materials

• Projector-based video analysis

• Officials' shirts

• Accommodation and participant support

• Other logistical arrangements for outstation participants

The arrangements were appreciated by participants and officials throughout the seminar.

State Judge Diplomas Awarded

The seminar concluded with a formal closing ceremony during which participants who successfully completed the programme and assessment were felicitated with State Judge Diplomas.

The diplomas were presented by:

Ms. Khyanaprava MohantySports Department, Government of Odisha

and

Mr. Surya Narayan DasSenior Advocate, High Court of Odisha

The certification marks an important step for the participants towards developing their technical careers within the sport and contributing to the conduct of Wushu competitions across the state.

Building the Next Generation of Technical Officials

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Yuvraj Harichandan, General Secretary, Wushu Association of Orissa, highlighted the importance of continuous technical development and practical exposure for judges.

He informed the participants that the newly certified State Judges will have an opportunity to further develop and demonstrate their technical skills during the 32nd State Championship of the Wushu Association of Orissa, scheduled to be held from 21–23 August 2026 at Jharsuguda, Odisha.

The initiative represents WAO's continued commitment to developing a robust technical ecosystem alongside athlete development.

Strengthening Wushu Beyond the Podium

The Odisha State Wushu Judges Seminar 2026 is another step towards strengthening the sport's technical infrastructure in Odisha. By investing in trained judges and technical officials, the Association aims to ensure that athletes receive fair, consistent and technically sound evaluation while maintaining competition standards aligned with national and international Wushu practices.

With 42 newly trained participants, the seminar has added further strength to Odisha's growing technical community and reinforced the Association's broader vision of developing athletes, coaches, judges and officials together as part of a complete sporting ecosystem.