The China Mermaid Open Grand Final, held alongside the inaugural Asian Cup, kicked off on Wednesday in Sanya, Hainan Province. This groundbreaking event is making waves in the world of water sports, bringing together top talents from across Asia.
Chinese athlete Guo Ke, one of the few male mermaid performers in the country, is set to showcase a routine inspired by the legendary Monkey King. “When I first got into this sport, there were hardly any male mermaid performers in China,” Guo shared. “I wondered if men could also wear mermaid tails underwater and showcase powerful movements. I’ve been involved in this sport for about seven years now. My routine for this competition is ‘The Monkey King Wreaks Havoc in Heaven’. Some of the moves are inspired by the Monkey King’s character, such as transforming the golden staff. These are high-difficulty moves that require a lot of repetition during training. I hope to present my best self to the audience and also hope that Team China can win the title.”
The event is a melting pot of cultural exchange and athletic excellence, featuring participants from China, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, and beyond. South Korean mermaid performer Sera Hong, who secured third place at the 2023 China Mermaid Open Championship, is eager to dive back into the competition. “It has been two years already since I started mermaiding,” Sera said. “I saw a mermaid show in the aquarium and was really inspired. This is my third time joining this competition. With every competition, I feel personal development.”
Behind the scenes, the success of the event is credited to the efforts of the China Water Sports Administration and the government of Sanya. Event organizer Heidi Perez highlighted the significance of hosting such competitions. “These types of events create a lot of awareness around the water sports world—diving and all different aquatic sports and related activities,” she noted. “Sanya is a great venue because it has a great climate all year round. The surrounding sea allows us to have this type of event all year. What better testament to this than having this competition in the middle of December?”
The China Mermaid Open Grand Final not only celebrates the beauty and artistry of mermaiding but also promotes the growth of water sports throughout Asia. As the competitors take to the water, they inspire a new generation to dive into the world of aquatic sports.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
