Rock ballet—climbing for a cause. On May 7th, the Rock Climbing Elite Challenge, a key event of the 2017 China-ASEAN Mountain Outdoor Sports Tourism Conference, concluded in Sanjia Tun, Mashan County, Guangxi.
The competition drew 138 professional athletes and climbing enthusiasts from 18 domestic and international regions including the UK, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan, Guizhou, Shandong, Shanxi, Jiangxi, Anhui, Yunnan, Hainan, Hebei, Guangdong, and Guangxi. Despite continuous rainfall during the event, the challenging weather did not deter the participants, who persevered and competed in the rain. Organizers also gained valuable experience in hosting major events under adverse weather conditions. After two days of intense competition, the men’s professional group title was claimed by Qu Changfeng from Zhangjiajie, Hunan, with an outstanding time of 3 minutes and 43 seconds. The women’s professional group champion was Pan Xuhua from Jiangxi, finishing in 2 minutes and 55 seconds. The open group champions were Fang Yefei (men) and Xie Yue (women).
Athletes pluck a “heart” off the rock wall, symbolizing a donation (charity goods/funds) (Photo by Lu Lihong)
It is reported that the 2017 China-ASEAN Mountain Outdoor Sports Tourism Conference is jointly organized by the Mountaineering Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, the Chinese Mountaineering Association, the Tourism Development Committee of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and the Sports Bureau of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and hosted by entities such as Beijing Guoao Zhongjian Sports Development Co., Ltd. Running from May 6th to November, the event spans the entire year. In addition to the Rock Climbing Elite Challenge, it will also feature subsequent sports events and activities such as the 2nd China-ASEAN Mountain Marathon. The conference has partnered with charitable organizations, caring enterprises, and individuals to launch the “Building Dreams Together, Love in Mashan” sports poverty alleviation public welfare campaign, creating a multi-tiered approach to charitable poverty relief. By continuously exploring and optimizing an integrated operation model of “public fitness activities + premium events + outdoor bases,” it aims to provide more local employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for impoverished communities. This initiative supports local poverty alleviation efforts and promotes sound and rapid socioeconomic development.
From May to November 2017, let’s meet in Mashan to share the unique charm of the Sports Tourism Conference; come to Mashan to cheer for this sports tourism event and witness every exciting moment of the 2017 China-ASEAN Mountain Outdoor Sports Tourism Conference together.