The 2025 National Youth Traditional Sports Competition Finals kicked off on the 21st at the Shanghai Zhongqiao Vocational and Technical University gymnasium.
It is reported that the competition attracted 249,500 young participants through both online and offline channels. From the 21st to the 24th, 2,554 young athletes from 1,203 schools and 67 youth centers across 27 provinces (autonomous regions, and municipalities) will compete fiercely in three major categories: martial arts, board games, and jump rope.
Martial arts and street dance performances by the youth on site were spectacular, igniting the atmosphere. Olympic champions Wu Minxia, Song Nina, and Dong Dong took the stage alongside 15-year-old World Youth Wushu Championships champion Wang Yixuan to share their growth stories and dream-chasing journeys. From being a “chubby kid” who couldn’t do more than five push-ups to winning his first world gold medal, Wang Yixuan shared an inspiring story of growth with all the young athletes present.
The opening ceremony specially included a “Event Guardians” tribute segment. Over the past three years, the volunteer team has accumulated over 10,000 hours of service, with their “volunteer blue” figures seen everywhere from registration and guidance to distribution of supplies. The logistics support team adhered to the principle of “preparing provisions before the troops move,” ensuring worry-free accommodation and meals for thousands. Police officers worked with precision, scheduling and guarding day and night to secure the event’s safety. The event organizing committee presented the “Selfless Dedication Award” to representatives of the three support teams.
It is reported that the National Youth Traditional Sports Competition is one of the national competitions for primary and secondary school students approved by the Ministry of Education for the 2021–2022 and 2022–2025 academic years, and is the only sports event on the Ministry of Education’s “White List.” This year marks the third consecutive year that Jinshan District in Shanghai has hosted the event. Upholding the concept of using sports as a medium and competitions to boost the city, Jinshan District has launched several premium travel routes, including LegoLand, Shanyang Pastoral, and City Beach, and carefully created a carnival market, practicing the idea of “traveling with the event” to provide participating families with an immersive cultural experience of Jinshan.