The 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities closed in style this weekend in tropical Sanya, Hainan! 🌴 Over 7,000 athletes from 35 teams showcased 18 sports blending competition, skill, and cultural flair over nine action-packed days.
From gravity-defying single bamboo drifting (imagine surfing a pole!) to the thunderous cheers of Tibetan Yajia tug-of-war, these games proved tradition can be lit 🔥. This year’s MVP? Coconut tree climbing – a Hainan specialty making its debut as athletes scaled palm trunks like real-life Mario Kart characters 🎮🌴.
Did you know? Some events like horseback riding wrapped early in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region back in July 🐎. These quadrennial games, running since 1953, keep China’s 56 ethnic groups connected through sport – no medals needed, just pure cultural swag 💃🕺.
