10-person 200-meter dragon boat final at the World Games 2025 in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, on August 10, 2025  Photo: VCG

At the sound of the starting signal, several dragon boats shot forward like arrows, slicing through the waters of Xinglong Lake in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province. On Sunday, the 10-seat and 8-seat 200-meter dragon boat finals continued at the World Games. This traditional sport has made its debut at the Games as an official competition event, drawing significant attention both on and off the course. Other unique events at the Games such as breakdancing, lifesaving, tug-of-war, cheerleading, and unmanned aerial drone racing have amazed netizens, who have exclaimed: Who knew sports could be this fun beyond competition?

Prior to the dragon boat races, the lifesaving events at the World Games concluded on Saturday, with 16 gold medals awarded to their respective winners. During the competition, athletes showcased a variety of rescue skills in different events, such as retrieving mannequins underwater and towing them with buoys. Team events demonstrated these techniques in relay formats. 

Lifesaving is a timed competition in which athletes aim to complete designated swimming distances as quickly as possible with the fastest securing victory. Each swift turn and decisive dive test the athletes' physical strength and explosive power, while also embodying the profound humanitarian spirit of the sport, according to the organizing committee of the World Games.

The dancesport competition held at Chengdu's northern sports center has become one of the most talked-about events on social media. On the dance floor, the steps of the world's top dancers intertwined seamlessly with the rhythm of the music. Beyond the spotlight, Sergey Sinkins, a poised and elegant judge from Latvia, unexpectedly became a social media sensation. Shortly after Friday night's Latin dance competition, spectators uploaded photos and videos of him at work, which quickly gained likes and shares, snowballing into a viral moment and showcasing the diversity of the World Games.

The sports dance category includes three disciplines: standard, Latin, and breaking. Notably, breaking also debuted as an Olympic event at the 2024 Paris Games. At the World Games, a total of 32 athletes will compete in breaking. The competition will take place on a circular stage, with athletes facing off in one-on-one "battles" lasting no more than 60 seconds each. Competitors choreograph their moves in real-time to music randomly selected by the DJ, creating a unique and dynamic style for each performance. 

"Street dance is a sport with a strong grassroots following. For China's young dancers, competing alongside international athletes on the World Games stage not only showcases the potential of Chinese street dance to a global audience but also inspires more young people to join the sport. This, perhaps, is part of the significance of including such unique and vibrant event in the World Games," Xia Rui, secretary-general of the street dance committee of the China Dancers Association, told the Global Times on Sunday.

Another highlighted event is the drone racing competition, scheduled for Thursday. Athletes will control drones from a first-person perspective, racing at speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour along a 500-600-meter track with 40-50 obstacles scattered around. Each race will have four participants, with a time limit of three minutes and a requirement to complete three laps. The athlete with the fastest time will be crowned the winner.

Many Chinese netizens have expressed great interest in these events on social media platforms like Sina Weibo. They noted that the World Games emphasizes inclusivity, serving as a testing ground for emerging sports. Watching competitions like tug-of-war, street dance, and flying disc has sparked a strong desire among viewers to participate themselves.

The enthusiasm for sports participation is spreading from inside the arenas to the wider community. According to the organizing committee, Chengdu has built or renovated 77 sports parks and established 407 community fitness corners. Additionally, 130 "World Games Spaces" near residential areas have gradually opened to the public, bringing trendy sports like parkour, flying disc, rock climbing, and archery into everyday life.