Winners of the 2021 Nanshan District Chinese and Foreign Residents’ Fellowship Activity and Nanshan International Blocks Obstacle Race hold up their trophies at an award ceremony in Zhongshan Park on Saturday. A total of 100 Chinese and expat residents from four international blocks in Nanshan took part in the race, which was themed “Nanshan Keep Going.”

The new Olympic motto “Faster, Higher, Stronger — Together” was perfectly embodied in the 2021 Nanshan District Chinese and Foreign Residents’ Fellowship Activity and Nanshan International Blocks Obstacle Race, which gathered a total of 100 Chinese and expat residents together to test their limits in Zhongshan Park on Saturday morning.

The competitors, in four teams of 25 members each, represented four international blocks in Nanshan, namely Shekou, Zhaoshang, Yuehai and Taoyuan subdistricts.

Under the theme of “Nanshan Keep Going,” the competition was hosted by the Nanshan District Government and organized by the district’s foreign affairs bureau and its culture, radio, television, tourism and sports bureau.

Officials attending the opening ceremony included Cao Saixian, director general of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Shenzhen Municipal Government; Huang Xiangyue, deputy Party chief of the CPC Nanshan District Committee and district mayor of Nanshan; Li Wei, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Nanshan District Committee and director of the Office of the CPC Nanshan District Committee (Government); Ye Chun, deputy district mayor of Nanshan; Wang Ji, director of the Mass Sports Division of the Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, as well as other leaders from city- and district-level governments’ foreign affairs offices.

During the welcoming remarks, Ye Chun said in recent years, Nanshan has exerted great efforts to build itself into a more international and livable community for people from all over the world. She hoped that Chinese and expat residents can know each other better through sports.

Cao Saixian noted in her speech that the obstacle race is a great way to bring people together. She encouraged the Chinese and expats to join hands to support Shenzhen’s goal towards becoming a more international city and create more happiness to make the city more livable.

Huang Xiangyue and Cao joined Shekou and Zhaoshang residents respectively during the race to share joy and team spirit with them.

During the 2-kilometer mini-Spartan race course, participants were required to overcome eight obstacle challenges, namely Wall Jump, Sandbag Carry, Slip Wall, Barbed Wire, A-Frame, Rope Climb, and Bucket Brigade. Those who skipped the obstacles had to do 30 penalty burpees instead.

The top three individual winners in men’s group were Canadian Chaz Gabikini from Shekou Subdistrict, American Christopher Joseph Whutell from Zhaoshang Subdistrict and Dutch Ruben Reekers from Shekou Subdistrict.

The top three individual winners in the women’s group were Wei Tingting and Mexican Ingrid Sofia Alvarez Vázquez representing Zhaoshang Subdistrict, and Russian Irina Shulga from Yuehai Subdistrict.

In terms of teams, the Best Organization Award went to Shekou Subdistrict, the Best Team Award went to Zhaoshang Subdistrict, the Best Style Award went to Yuehai Subdistrict and the Best Popularity Award went to Taoyuan Subdistrict.

Gabikini told Shenzhen Daily that it was his first Spartan race which he thought was great and competitive. “The event is well organized and I really appreciate my teammates’ hard work. I’m very proud that we came out as a team together to put on a good show for the crowd and for our subdistrict,” he said.

Zhaoshang resident Roman Dogushev from Russia said he was proud to compete for his community and enjoy the game with his teammates. He said: “It’s a big responsibility to represent our international block and to be the face of Zhaoshang. Our subdistrict did the best!”

“It’s an amazing activity, because it not only brings Chinese and expats together, but also brings everyone together — seniors, youngsters, women and men all together as a team,” he added.

Muhammad Waqas Akbar from Pakistan representing Yuehai Subdistrict thought that the race was exciting and full of fun. 

“This is my first time to be in a race, so I’m very excited. It’s a great opportunity to meet other expats and interact with them. We had a lot of fun together,” Akbar said.

“This is a great activity initiated by the Nanshan District Government. Hopefully next year there would be more foreigners and local residents,” he added.

Chinwe Alli from Nigeria representing Taoyuan Subdistrict told Shenzhen Daily: “The activity is a great way for me to do workout, get exercise and keep fit. It’s also a good opportunity to meet new people and bond with old friends.”

Event organizers said COVID-19 safety protocols were in place during the event.

In June 2019, Shenzhen kickstarted a three-year pilot program to build 20 international blocks that will set an example for the city’s international block network.

The first batch of the 20 blocks cover nine districts and Dapeng New Area, including Nanshan’s Shekou, Zhaoshang, Yuehai and Taoyuan subdistricts.