 Games in Nanning, showcasing the integration of sports and education, and the emergence of young sports talents across various disciplines.){kind=link}
China’s first-ever Student (Youth) Games concluded recently in Nanning, located in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, marking a significant milestone in the country’s sports and youth development. The event attracted around 20,000 young athletes, resulting in the awarding of 805 gold medals across a wide range of sports disciplines.
The Games represented a fusion of the National Youth Games and the National Student Games, creating a high-level competitive platform for China’s young sporting talents. This event was remarkable not only for the sheer number of participants but also for the notable achievements recorded, including the surpassing of 11 world youth records, tying of one world record, and the bettering of three Asian records.
Athletes from 69 delegations competed in the open group, with 64 of these delegations winning medals and 54 securing gold. Significantly, delegations from the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions triumphed in equestrian and swimming events, respectively. Additionally, new national, youth, and juvenile records were set in various sports, including shooting, track and field, and weightlifting. In the campus group, all 34 delegations won medals, with 30 securing gold.
The first gold medal of the Games was claimed in Beihai, Guangxi, by Huang Yaoshu, a 19-year-old surfer from the Haikou team. Huang, who grew up in a fishing village and developed a natural affinity for surfing, worked hard to master his skills and represented the Hainan Provincial Surfing Team.
In Mashan county, Guangxi, 14-year-old Li Yantan from a rural school in the Zhuang ethnic group, demonstrated remarkable talent in rock climbing, winning gold with a significant improvement in her performance from the preliminaries to the finals. Her coach, Wu Guoyong, highlighted Li’s consistent training and progress since primary school.
The Games served as a crucial platform to demonstrate the growth of youth sports in China and the ongoing efforts to integrate sports and education. According to sports commentator Luo Le, this integration is vital for the holistic development of young athletes, offering them invaluable experience in major competitions and preparing them for future successes in the competitive sports arena.
Wu Yanni, a Chinese star hurdler and winner of the women’s 100-meter hurdles at the Games, addressed online criticism with confidence and straightforwardness, reflecting the changing environment for today’s young athletes. Growing up in an era dominated by new media, these athletes are not only embracing but also shaping societal trends in sports, effectively communicating its values and culture to the youth.
The Games highlight the role of these young athletes as representatives of a new generation, guiding and influencing upcoming athletic talents. Their impact extends beyond the field, as they embody and disseminate the spirit and culture of sports to the broader youth community.
In summary, China’s first Student (Youth) Games in Nanning was more than just a sporting event; it was a celebration of young talent and the fruitful collaboration between sports and education. The achievements of these young athletes underscore China’s commitment to nurturing future sports stars and the role of sports in youth development.
READ MORE: