Xinjiang coach passes on spirit of traditional Xibe archery

URUMQI -- Standing tall in the school gym, fourth-grader Tostap Mamat squints at the target, his small fingers hooked firmly on the bowstring. Side step, draw, aim and release — his movements are smooth and confident.

"I've read about the myth of Houyi shooting down the suns, and I want to experience archery myself," Tostap says, eyes bright, before adding, "And besides, we have a 'champion coach'."

That "champion coach" is Wu Junliang, a 37-year-old archer from Qapqal Xibe autonomous county, a border county in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region — also proudly known as the hometown of Chinese archery.

Wu was not only a seasoned athlete but also a recognized inheritor of the national intangible cultural heritage "Traditional Xibe Archery." Earlier this year, as part of a "heritage-in-schools" initiative, he began teaching Tostap and 30 other students the ancient art of archery.

"Archery is more than hitting the bull's-eye," Wu says as he corrects a student's stance. "It's about cultivating patience, focus, and integrity. We start with technique, but through practice, these kids also learn about respect and tradition," he explains.

Wu's connection with archery began 21 years ago, when coaches from a local archery school visited his hometown in search of promising young talent. A middle-schooler at the time, Wu stood out for his strong arms and steady composure.