The 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities of China wrapped up on Saturday in Sanya, south China’s Hainan Province.
The nine-day event, which began on November 22, brought together nearly 7,000 athletes representing 35 delegations from across China to compete in 18 sports and over 160 demonstration events in three categories: competitive, skill-based, and comprehensive events.
All the equestrian competitions were completed in July in Zhaosu, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Held nearly every four years since its debut in 1953, the National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities primarily focuses on mass participation in traditional sports activities.
Among the most popular events were stilt racing, single bamboo drifting, board-shoe racing, Yajia, a traditional Xizang sport also known as Tibetan tug-of-war, and swing competitions, all representing the rich cultural heritage of China’s various ethnic groups.
This year, coconut tree climbing, a traditional sport rooted in Hainan’s ethnic minority culture, debuted as an official competition, adding a distinctive local flavor.