Building Fitness and Nurturing Minds, Vibrant Shenyang Medical University Boats Connect the World, Hearts Rooted in Our University — Our International Students Claim Third Place at Liaoning’s First University Student Dragon Boat Championship

The First Liaoning University Student Dragon Boat Championship and the 16th Shenyang Dragon Boat Race were held at Dingxiang Lake. As an important event of the university’s Sports and Culture Festival, our international student team competed in provincial and municipal dragon boat events for the fourth year running. After intense competition, they won third place in the 100-metre straight race for 12-person dragon boats, showcasing the positive spirit of our international students.

Top teams from eight universities across Liaoning took part in the contest. For the first time, our international students competed in the 12-person dragon boat event, having previously gained experience in 22-person races. Guided by steady drumbeats, the crew paddled hard and embodied the spirit of unity and perseverance central to dragon-boat sports.

Two international students stood out and were interviewed by CCTV News. They shared in fluent Chinese that drago-nboat racing helps foreign students experience Dragon Boat Festival traditions and Chinese culture. By interacting with peers from other universities, the participants improved their athletic ability and built cross-cultural friendships. Tough training strengthened their will and deepened their appreciation for traditional Chinese culture.

Four years of competitions at Dingxiang Lake have seen the team grow and develop. This achievement reflects our university’s progress in international education and campus cultural development. Upholding moral education and cultural enlightenment, the university creates international exchange opportunities through sports and folk-culture activities, helping international students better understand and recognise China through first-hand experience.

Going forward, our university will continue to develop varied cultural and sports programmes. More competitions and volunteer activities will be arranged for international students to learn about fine traditional Chinese culture. The university aims to train high-quality international-focused medical talents with global vision, humanistic awareness and a strong sense of mission.