Surrounded by Green Hills and Clear Waters, the Second Traditional Sports International Festival was held in Kunming from October 18 to 20. A total of 723 athletes from 27 countries and regions gathered in Kunming, including 353 international participants. Together with Chinese athletes, they exchanged skills and experiences in dragon and lion dancing, Go, health Qigong, and martial arts. Through this competition, they forged friendships with people from China and around the world while experiencing the unique charm of Kunming.

Malaysian Athlete JASON TAN KAI SHEN: 

Winning or Losing Doesn't Matter; the People of Kunming Are Very Warm

Malaysian athlete JASON TAN KAI SHEN during the interview. Photo by Wen Lirong

At this international exchange festival, Malaysian dragon and lion dancer JASON TAN KAI SHEN achieved two "firsts": his first participation in the Traditional Sports International Festival and his first visit to Kunming.

"We are mainly here to exchange ideas; winning or losing doesn't matter. It's all about making friends." JASON TAN KAI SHEN believes that the most important aspect of this competition is to experience the differences between Malaysian lion dancing and Chinese lion dancing. He aims to compare and exchange innovative moves from both countries to achieve mutual progress.

This was also JASON TAN KAI SHEN's first visit to Kunming. He and his teammates arrived in Kunming in the early hours of the morning. Since it was late autumn, he felt "a bit cold," noting that Malaysia doesn't experience this kind of weather.

However, the warmth of the Kunming locals alleviated the chill. "At that time, I was very hungry, so after checking into the hotel, I went nearby to find something to eat, and the locals warmly welcomed us," he said. "Some of the local restaurants stay open until three or four in the morning, and the owners even treated us to some complimentary food."

China is the birthplace of lion dancing, while Malaysia is the first country to create the Plum Blossom Pile Lion Dance. As the only overseas country participating in the dragon and lion dancing events at this competition, Malaysia has developed into one of the best countries for lion dancing, second only to China.

Malaysian Athlete Li Songwei: 

The Opening Ceremony Was Surprising; I Recommend Visiting Haigeng Park to See the Seagulls

Malaysian athlete Li Songwei during the interview. Photo by Wen Lirong

"This event was a great surprise to me, especially during the opening ceremony, where China showcased a lot of traditional ethnic culture. I wanted to keep watching without getting distracted." This was the first time Malaysian Go player Li Songwei participated in the competition. He candidly expressed his fondness for Chinese martial arts performances, noting that it felt like "they kept jumping and were really impressive."

Li Songwei believes that the arrangement of this Go competition was particularly well done, describing it as a "superb event." However, he found that his opponents played at a relatively fast pace, constantly "blocking" him, which made him feel somewhat nervous since he was accustomed to playing at a slower tempo.

"Learning Go can help you develop a stronger ability to cope with setbacks. It connects the left and right brain, enhances reaction speed, and allows you to remain calm when facing difficulties or setbacks, helping you to think about 'how to solve it step by step,'" said Li Songwei.

This is Li Songwei's second visit to Kunming. He came here for tourism in mid-October last year. In his view, "The people of Kunming are very friendly and polite; everyone here is very warm. The city is quite modern, with many tall buildings."

Li Songwei enjoys the weather and beautiful natural environment of Kunming. He also recommends that others visit Haigeng Park to see the seagulls and Yunnan Ethnic Village to watch ethnic minority performances. "Young people who like excitement can also go to the Colorful Yunnan Paradise," he added.

Singaporean Athlete Pei Jinling: 

Making Friends Through Chess and Enjoying the Trip to Kunming

Singaporean athlete Pei Jinling during the interview. Photo by Hu Xinyun

Pei Jinling, the secretary of the Singapore Go Association and both the leader and a player of the Singapore Go team, is already a familiar face at the Traditional Sports International Festival. This is her second time participating in the competition, and she brought four teams from Singapore to compete this time.

"This event was very successful and had a large scale," Pei Jinling said. The Go competition invited many overseas athletes from different countries, providing excellent opportunities for international players like her to communicate and strengthen friendships among chess players. "I am very happy and honored to have the chance to exchange ideas and compete with some of China's top amateur players," she remarked.

During the competition, Pei Jinling encountered many old friends and rivals. For her, the most important aspect of the event was "making friends through chess." "I think this event is wonderful. Even though we may not share a common language with players from other countries, we can communicate through Go and engage in 'hand talks'," she stated.

Although it was her first visit to Kunming, the flowers seen everywhere on the streets, the beautiful ecological environment, the pleasant climate, the diverse ethnic cuisine, and the warm-hearted locals all left a great impression on Pei Jingling. She said, "Kunming has a rich culture and is very harmonious. I am thoroughly enjoying this trip to Kunming."

Thai Athlete WICHRICH KARUEHAWANIT: 

Go Has Many Benefits; Kunming Is Very Relaxing

Thai athlete WICHRICH KARUEHAWANIT during the interview. Photo by Hu Xinyun

WICHRICH KARUEHAWANIT from Thailand participated in the Traditional Sports International Festival for the first time. In this competition, he encountered many Go "masters". He said, "Whether I win or lose, I hope to have no regrets."

This is WICHRICH KARUEHAWANIT's second visit to Kunming; he last came in June 2023 to participate in the "Playing Go in Ancient Dian Kingdom" tourism Go competition. Kunming left a very good impression on him: "There is a lot to eat, the scenery is beautiful, and it's very comfortable and relaxing," he remarked.

Cambodian Athlete Lai Yuanxin: 

Qigong Boosts Vitality; the Air in Kunming Is Wonderful

Cambodian athlete Lai Yuanxin (first from the right) and teammates during the interview. Photo by Hu Xinyun

"The preparation for this competition has been excellent, and it allows us to meet friends from all over the world. Athletes from countries like Canada have come to befriend us and invited us to participate in events in Canada," said Lai Yuanxin, leader and athlete of the Cambodian Health Qigong team, who has participated in the Health Qigong event of the Traditional Sports International Festival for two consecutive times. This year, a total of eight Cambodian athletes, including Lai Yuanxin, are competing in the Health Qigong event.

While leading her teammates in an interview, she said, "Qigong can help us train our breathing and regulate our bodies. After practicing Qigong, we feel great and it is quite suitable for our learning."

This is Lai Yuanxin's third visit to Kunming. “The first time I came to Kunming was to learn Qigong, and the second time was for tourism, where I visited places like the Stone Forest and Dianchi Lake.” She has a very positive impression of Kunming. “The air is fresh, the scenery is beautiful, and the people are friendly. They are particularly welcoming to us. It’s quite cool here, making it very comfortable to live.”

After the competition, she expressed her hope to have the opportunity to visit Dianchi Lake and see the seagulls that travel all the way from Siberia.

Australian Athlete Michal Hawkins: 

The Competition is Full of Fun; Kunming Is Very Open

Australian athlete Michal Hawkins during the interview. Photo by Hu Xinyun

Australian health Qigong athlete Michal Hawkins is not new to competing in Qigong events, but this is his first time participating in the Traditional Sports International Festival. Compared to his first competition in Australia, he believes this event is “larger in scale, more fun, and the styles of participation seem more diverse, resulting in a greater overall sense of joy.”

According to him, Australia is currently placing great emphasis on health Qigong. For the past 20 years, efforts have been made to bring in as many instructors from China as possible. Additionally, 30 student groups have participated in competitions, seminars, or workshops around the world.

This is Michal Hawkins' first visit to Kunming. "Kunming feels very open to me," he remarked. In his view, Kunming is a city that combines the "tranquility of the countryside" with the "apartments and large buildings of a big city." He described it as a very green and clean city. Hawkins noted that in Kunming, there are many activities to engage in and numerous sights to see, allowing people to relax at their own pace and enjoy their time freely.

Ivorian Athlete KOUASSI SELAY MARIUS: 

Hope the Event Continues; I Love Kunming

Ivorian athlete KOUASSI SELAY MARIUS during the interview. Photo by Wen Lirong

"For me, participating in this competition feels like a game, so I feel more happy than nervous,” said KOUASSI SELAY MARIUS, the leader, coach, and athlete of the Ivory Coast Qigong team. This is his first time participating in the Traditional Sports International Festival, and he is very pleased to be in Kunming.

KOUASSI SELAY MARIUS spoke highly of the competition, expressing his hope that the event will continue, as “it provides an opportunity to gather the whole world in China and Kunming, a chance to meet.” He emphasized that it allows athletes from different countries to get to know each other better, deepen their relationships, enhance friendships, and learn from one another.

KOUASSI SELAY MARIUS has visited many Chinese cities, including Zhengzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, and Zhejiang, but this is his first time in Kunming. “I love this city; it is a relaxed place with clean streets and polite people,” he said. When asked to describe Kunming in three words, he chose “beautiful”, “peaceful”, and “green”.

Mexican Athlete Daniel HengYi: 

Martial Arts Are Both a Sport and a Culture; Everyone Should Visit Kunming at Least Once

Mexican athlete Daniel HengYi demonstrates martial arts. Photo by Hu Xinyun

Mexican athlete Daniel HengYi has participated in five different competitions in China, but this is his first time attending the Traditional Sports International Festival and his first visit to Kunming.

"I believe that martial arts is a rich sport that encompasses not only physical activity but also culture and tradition.”Daniel HengYi appreciates martial arts for two main reasons: first, “martial arts are wonderful because they combine many different elements into one;” second, “martial arts are suitable for everyone, from young people seeking to fight to older individuals who prefer slower-paced practices like Tai Chi.”

Though it was Daniel HengYi's first time in Kunming, he experienced no inconvenience. "Kunming is a beautiful city. Everything I’ve seen is wonderful and clean. The people are kind and gentle, and the weather is very similar to Mexico." He noted that Kunming has developed well, with many trees and flowers around, making it feel like an "eternal spring."

In the future, Daniel HengYi hopes the third Traditional Sports International Festival will continue to be held in Kunming. He plans to bring more people from Mexico next time, saying, "I believe everyone should visit at least once."

For this competition, Daniel HengYi also brought three distinct hats from Mexico, each with its own style. He introduced their origins and uses to the people he met, leveraging the event as an opportunity to share his home country’s culture with China and other nations.

Romanian athlete Ciprian Ghise: 

Exchanging Tai Chi Experiences; Eager to Learn About Kunming's History

Romanian athlete Ciprian Ghise practicing Tai Chi. Photo provided by the interviewee

Ciprian Ghise, the team leader of the Romanian martial arts delegation, is a big fan of Tai Chi. He currently runs a Tai Chi school in Mare City, with about 35 students. Expressing his excitement about participating in the second Traditional Sports International Festival, he said, “Although it’s quite far from my hometown, this event is exceptionally well organized.”

During the competition, Ciprian Ghise's team showcased Yang-style Tai Chi. He hopes that this event will provide an opportunity to meet and exchange experiences with other Tai Chi practitioners. Reflecting on the atmosphere of the competition, he remarked, “It felt like a celebration, while also being very professional and intense.”

This is Ciprian Ghise's first time participating in the martial arts event of the Traditional Sports International Festival, but he has been practicing martial arts for some time, and it has become an integral part of his life. Therefore, he expressed his desire to come to China, stating, “I have always wanted to come to China because it is the birthplace of martial arts.”

“I like Kunming; its development is impressive.” After the competition, Ciprian Ghise plans to visit some of the city's historical sites to learn more about Kunming's history. He also expressed a desire to return to Kunming anytime in the future and recommended that others come to visit as well.

Click here to view Chinese report

(Editors: Amy, Jennifer)