Lone Fighter to Represent PNG at Oceania Wushu Invitational Championships

This Sunday, 24 May 2026, Tony Mitu Jnr will become the second athlete to represent Papua New Guinea internationally in the sport of Wushu. Tony is attending the Oceania Wushu Invitational  Championships in Brisbane, Australia. He will compete in the men’s 70kg category of the Sanda event. 

Kung Fu Wushu Australia will host the tournament, which will run from May 21st  to 25th, 2026. The Oceania Kung Fu Wushu Federation and the International Wushu Federation are supporting the event.  

Tony left Papua New Guinea today (Thursday, May 21st) with Team Lead, Iammo Launa. His Coach,  Andrew Molen, will join the team after his visa enquiries are sorted. 

This championship is somewhat a baptism of fire for the man from Bougainville, as it is his first international trip and his first time representing Papua New Guinea at an international event. 

Coach Molen said Tony had been very committed in training and even had to manage his weight to meet the required category. 

“In fact, he turned up at training on his birthday two weeks ago and said, ‘bihain ok yumi amamas  (we’ll celebrate later)’,” Molen said. 

“It takes a lot of discipline and focus, and I’m pleased with his dedication and his trust in me to prepare him.” 

Tony’s background is in the traditional martial art of Shotokan Karate, and he trains at the East Gate  Karate Academy under Julius Piku Sensei. Tony has competed nationally in Sport Karate point style and also sparred in full-contact rules. 

He was part of the Team PNG Karate train-on squad for the 2023 Pacific Games. However, he missed out when the team was dropped for not meeting certain requirements. He has since been scouted by the Kung Fu Wushu Association of PNG to compete in Sanda. 

Molen thanked Julius Sensei for allowing Tony to pursue this opportunity, which will bring much recognition to Tony and his club. 

Julius Sensei guided Tony as a beginner in the martial arts to his current level as a senior student, making it easy for Tony to transition to another fighting style because he had already mastered the basics. 

“Tony remains a Karate student regardless of which combat sport he competes in. His participation brings much pride to his club and his teacher,” said Molen. 

President of the Kung Fu Wushu Association of Papua New Guinea, Geoff Hui, said he was pleased that the country would be represented at this event and congratulated Tony for being selected to represent  Papua New Guinea. 

“We are looking forward to seeing Tony compete, and at the same time, we aim to strengthen our connection with the Wushu community in Australia and Oceania,” he said. 

The association has been working tirelessly with its regional and world counterparts to promote the sport in the region. Papua New Guinea is one of the countries in Oceania that is focused on growing Wushu. 

Team Lead Iammo Launa said the sport had potential to develop further in Papua New Guinea, but needs the support of its international partners and stakeholders. The tournament not only provides opportunities for excellence to athletes but also for discussion among administrators of the sport. 

Kung Fu Wushu Association of Papua New Guinea also acknowledges the support of the High-Performance Sport PNG in assisting with Tony’s preparations. Their expertise and openness provided a supportive environment for the athlete during his recovery and physiotherapy sessions, including the training space.