The 12th National Traditional Ethnic Sports Games, hosted by the National Ethnic Affairs Commission and the General Administration of Sport of China and organized by the Hainan Provincial Government, was held in Sanya, Hainan Province from November 22 to 30. The Hubei Provincial Ethnic Aerobics Team and Performance Team, composed of SCMU athletes, achieved outstanding results. The Ethnic Aerobics Team secured eighth place in the compulsory routine and seventh place in the optional routine (light apparatus), ranking sixth nationally overall and winning three bronze awards. Additionally, the performance team earned third prize in the competitive event “Land Boat Racing”, marking a record-high number of awards.

The delegation was led by Hao Jiachun, Dean of the School of Physical Education, for the Ethnic Aerobics Team, and Wei Tian, organizer of the School of Physical Education, for the Performance Team. Zhang Jinming served as the coach for the Ethnic Aerobics Team, while Liu Xingchun and Gao Wenjie coached the Performance Team. A total of 35 athletes, including two substitutes, participated in the competition.

SCMU delegation group photo. Shot by Zhang Jinming

In the compulsory routine, the athletes earned high praise from judges and spectators for their precise movements and rhythm control. In the optional routine, team members creatively incorporated cultural elements of the “Eight-Treasure Bronze Bells”, showcasing both tradition and innovation. The “Land Boat Racing” performance also became a highlight, combining folk customs with modern interpretation to demonstrate China’s unified yet diverse ethnic cultures while captivating audiences with its exciting competitive format.

Ethnic Aerobics optional routine competition scene. Photo by Zhang Jinming

In preparation for the Games, the university’s Party Committee and administration provided strong support for the teams’ training. Under their guidance, the School of Physical Education conducted extensive recruitment. The Hubei Provincial Traditional Ethnic Sports Training and Demonstration Base at SCMU selected 156 students for training in December 2023, eventually choosing 35 official team members. In late June 2024, the School’s Party Committee established a temporary Party branch for the Hubei Provincial Ethnic Aerobics and Performance Teams to strengthen team cohesion and focus on competition preparation.