Sanya, the tropical paradise in the Chinese mainland's Hainan Province, just got even more magical! 🏝️✨ The China Mermaid Open Grand Final, in tandem with the inaugural Asian Cup, kicked off its diving contest on Wednesday, bringing a splash of enchantment to the crystal-clear waters.
Leading the wave is Guo Ke, a trailblazing male mermaid—or merman 🧜♂️—who's set to dazzle the audience with a routine inspired by the legendary Monkey King. \"When I first dove into this sport, mermen were a rarity in China,\" Guo shared with CGTN Sports Scene's Shen Xiang. \"I wondered if guys could rock mermaid tails underwater and showcase some powerful moves.\"
After seven years of honing his craft, Guo is ready to unveil his most ambitious performance yet: \"The Monkey King Wreaks Havoc in Heaven.\" 🐵🔥 \"Some moves are inspired by the Monkey King, like transforming the golden staff,\" he explained. \"These high-difficulty moves take tons of practice, but I'm pumped to bring my best to the audience and hope Team China can snag the title!\"
As the first competition of its kind in Asia, the Asian Cup is making a big splash by uniting top talents from countries and regions like China, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, and more. 🌏🌊 It's all about cultural exchange and athletic excellence!
One of those shining stars is South Korea's Sera Hong, who snagged third place at the 2023 China Mermaid Open Championship and is ready to dive in again. \"It's been two years since I started mermaiding,\" Sera smiled. \"I was inspired after watching a mermaid show at an aquarium and thought, 'I wanna do that!' This is my third competition, and I feel myself growing each time.\"
Behind the glittering tails and graceful dives, people like Heidi Perez Cao Jorge Ova are working hard to make waves in the world of water sports. She credits the China Water Sports Administration and the government of Sanya for their support. \"Events like this raise awareness for water sports, diving, and all things aquatic,\" she said. \"Sanya is perfect with its year-round awesome climate and stunning seas. 🌞🌊 What better proof than hosting this competition in December?\"
With mermaids and mermen from across Asia gathering in Sanya, the China Mermaid Open Grand Final isn't just a competition—it's a celebration of culture, athleticism, and the magic that happens when we dive into our dreams. 🏅✨
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
