The China Mermaid Open Grand Final kicked off Wednesday in Sanya, Hainan Province, blending underwater artistry with cultural storytelling. 🎉 As part of the inaugural Asian Cup, the event has drawn top athletes from countries and regions including China, South Korea, and Thailand, turning the tropical city into a stage for aquatic athleticism.
Monkey King Makes a Splash
Chinese mermaid athlete Guo Ke revealed his ‘Monkey King Wreaks Havoc in Heaven’ routine to CGTN Sports Scene. 🐒✨ ‘I wanted to prove men can rock mermaid tails too,’ said Guo, who spent seven years perfecting gravity-defying moves inspired by the golden staff-wielding legend. His performance aims to ‘showcase China’s cultural heritage through sport.’
From Aquariums to Competitions
South Korea’s Sera Hong, a third-time competitor, shared how mermaid diving changed her life: ‘I saw a show and instantly knew – this is my calling.’ 🧜♀️💫 Meanwhile, organizers praised Sanya’s year-round tropical climate as ideal for boosting awareness of water sports across Asia.
A New Wave for Aquatic Sports
Heidi Perez Cao Jorge Ova of the China Water Sports Administration highlighted the event’s ripple effect: ‘It’s not just about medals – it’s about inspiring the next generation to dive into oceans, pools, and new possibilities.’ 🌊🚀
