On October 19, the opening ceremony of the Chongqing Three Gorges Bank Cup 2024 National Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships and the 2024 National Youth Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships took place in Chongqing. Elite rhythmic gymnasts from across the country gathered in the Shapingba District for what can be described as a “ballet on the mat.”
This event marks the first top-tier rhythmic gymnastics competition in the country following the Paris Olympics. The championships kicked off on October 18 and will run through October 23, featuring approximately 350 athletes from 26 teams nationwide, including those from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Competitors will showcase their skills in a variety of events, including senior individual performances with hoop, ball, clubs, and ribbon, as well as senior group routines with five hoops and three ribbons with two balls. Youth athletes will participate in individual events involving body movement and apparatus, alongside group routines with ropes and balls, all celebrating the excitement and honor of rhythmic gymnastics.
Notably, this year’s event is unique as it combines both the 2024 National Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships and the 2024 National Youth Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships. This dual-format competition serves not only as a comprehensive review of the abilities of the country’s top rhythmic gymnasts but also acts as a vital platform for identifying promising newcomers and injecting fresh talent into the sport.
Rhythmic gymnastics is a stunning blend of strength and beauty, highlighting the intersection of technique and creativity, making it highly engaging for spectators. The competition structure includes qualification rounds and finals, promising six days packed with each breathtaking display of “strength and beauty.”
Among the renowned teams participating are traditional powerhouses such as those from Shanghai, Sichuan, and Zhejiang. Notably, Wang Zilu, an athlete who competed in the Paris Olympics, is set to take part in the senior individual competition as well.
The host team, Chongqing, has put forth 18 gymnasts, aiming to deliver standout performances, especially in the senior group and youth individual events, as they contend for top honors.
This is not the first time Shapingba District has hosted a national-level rhythmic gymnastics event. In recent years, the district has leveraged sports to elevate its profile, using high-quality events as a means to promote urban development and enhance the influence of its “City of Youth” brand. Sports have become a crucial avenue for Shapingba to showcase its city image and bolster its brand recognition on a broader stage.
