Feature: Xinjiang coach passes on spirit of traditional Xibe archery

URUMQI, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- 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.

Within a year of training, Wu finished third at a regional competition using a modern recurve bow. But just as his career began to take off, an injury to his arm forced him to withdraw from the national selection for the eighth National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities.

"It was a hard moment, I thought I'd lost everything," Wu recalls. But instead of leaving archery behind, he found a new path.

Back home in the Xibe Ancient Town, a cultural heritage site showcasing the history of the Xibe people's westward migration and border defense, Wu began working as an archery coach for visitors.

"I grew up hearing my grandfather talk about how the old training ground for border soldiers was right beside the temple in the ancient town," he says. "When I shoot arrows here, it feels like a bridge across time."

Over the next decade, Wu immersed himself in traditional archery - crafting his own bows, mastering horseback shooting, and performing live demonstrations for tourists. His "hundred-pace archery" show became a must-see attraction, offering visitors a vivid glimpse into the Xibe people's spirit of loyalty and perseverance.

As intangible-heritage tourism gained popularity, Wu opened a 300-square-meter archery club in Yining earlier this year, highlighting traditional bow culture.

Behind the targets, calligraphic characters reading "Loyalty, Righteousness, Courage and Respect" remind visitors that archery once served as both martial art and moral training. Membership titles such as "General of Loyalty" and "Commander of Force" add a playful touch for enthusiasts.

In addition to offering lessons, the club also provides bow repair, leather quiver making, and even traditional armor rentals for photo shoots.

"Archery isn't a niche pastime," Wu says with a smile. "It's a window into who we are."

During the National Day holiday in October, Wu and his three staff members welcomed hundreds of visitors daily. His club now has over 60 regular members, from six-year-old beginners to enthusiasts in their seventies. Some, like a member from Shanghai, even moved to Yining to study traditional archery full-time.

"When people pick up a bow, they often imagine themselves as heroes," Wu says. "The moment their arrow hits the target, that dream comes alive - and that's when culture truly takes root." ■