The 2026 Future Stars results are in: seven-year-old Jonathan Zhou and ten-year-old Keeli Manifong have been named Wushu Future Stars.
Both will receive a full year of free professional training, beginning an exciting new chapter in their Wushu journeys.
Skills Tested, Talent Selected
The selection was held Aug. 13 at the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center and jointly organized by the South Coast Wushu Team and the International Youth Sports Development Federation (IYSDF).
More than 30 children ages 4 to 14 from Los Angeles and Orange counties participated.
Through preliminary and final rounds, judges evaluated Wushu fundamentals, overall fitness, coordination, movement imitation, learning attitude and long-term potential.
Two winners were selected from six finalists.
Seven-year-old Jonathan Zhou is a first grader at ICIA, while ten-year-old Keeli Manifong attends Plaza Vista Elementary. Both earned high marks for fitness, focus, learning potential and overall performance.
Strength Built, Character Forged
South Coast Wushu Team Head Coach Kong Xiangjin said the selection was not about comparing children, but helping each child discover their strengths and build confidence through sports.
Judges considered not only athletic ability, but also each family’s commitment to Wushu education.
For young athletes, parental understanding, encouragement and support are essential to sustained training and growth.
Tian Jia, IYSDF vice chair and 2008 Olympic beach volleyball silver medalist, encouraged the children to be bold, persevere, and value passion and growth over winning.
South Coast Wushu Team co-founder Wendi Chen, IYSDF Vice Chair Zheng Hongyong, and volunteer representatives Li Yan and Yu Yuan also attended.
Coaches Kong Xiangjin and Wang Rujia conducted the fitness assessments under standardized criteria and provided onsite guidance.
Yearlong Training, Lifelong Growth
The two winners will receive one year of free, structured training through a scholarship package valued at more than $5,000.
The package covers 2026–27 Wushu tuition, coaching, evaluations, September 2027 international competition entry, and performance opportunities.
Videos, photos, competitions and performances will capture the students’ yearlong transformation in fitness, confidence, discipline, resilience and stage presence.
The program seeks to shape more than athletes: it builds resilient young people while inspiring families to embrace Wushu and carry forward its cultural legacy.
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