On October 12-13, 2024, the National Jump Rope Championship (Wenzhou Leqing Station) took place at the Leqing Sports Center Gymnasium.
The opening ceremony featured several distinguished guests, including Yang Shande, President of the China Jianzi Association and Director of the National Jump Rope Promotion Committee; Zhang Wenwei, member of the Wenzhou Sports Bureau; Liao Kaifeng, Deputy Director of the Leqing Municipal People’s Congress; Chen Yanghui, Deputy Director of the National Jump Rope Promotion Committee; Chen Lei, Deputy Director of the Leqing Municipal Government Office; Zhou Jing, Director of the Leqing Sports Development Center; Cai Yingmin, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Jump Rope Promotion Committee; Li Yindong, member of the Leqing Cultural, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports Bureau; and Feng Xiaoqiao, Chairman of Zhejiang Deyi Tianwen Sports Development Co., Ltd.
During the welcome speech, Director Zhou highlighted that the National Jump Rope Championship, established in 2014 by the General Administration of Sport of China and the China Jianzi Association, has grown into a premier national event with the most extensive program offerings and participation scale. Leqing aims to become a “City of Events,” and the local government is keen on advancing sports and its associated industries. Since hosting a national jump rope competition in 2018, the city has seen a surge in jumping venues, fostering a vibrant jump rope culture.
This event marked the fifth stop of the National Jump Rope Championship series in Leqing, holding significant importance for the ongoing development of high-quality sports events, facilities, and initiatives in the city. It also aligns with national goals to enhance public health and well-being while nurturing future jump rope talents, contributing to building a modern sports powerhouse in the province.
This year’s competition introduced several exciting changes.
Firstly, the event featured a diverse range of categories. Tailored for jump rope enthusiasts aged seven and older, the competition included various events such as counting races, freestyle events, performances, designated competitions, DDC interactive rope contests, and traditional specialties—totaling six major categories with 33 sub-events. The freestyle category aligns with international standards, presenting elite-level competitions for individuals, pairs, and teams. This approach aims to cultivate talent for China’s national jump rope team through competitive practice.
In a move to promote inclusivity, the competition added a Special Education Category, catering to children and adolescents with disabilities, such as blindness or hearing impairment. This initiative not only reflects a commitment to humane values but also provides these individuals with a platform to shine in the athletic world, boosting their confidence and sense of identity.
Moreover, the awards structure expanded to include individual, team, organizational, and regional annual accolades, emphasizing inspired participation aiming for “higher, faster, stronger—together.” Additional awards were also established for sportsmanship, best team spirit, and individual ambassadors to promote the event further.
The introduction of an electronic scoring system enhanced the spectator experience. Judges utilized tablets to input scores, which were displayed in real-time on LED screens, increasing transparency and excitement for both the audience and participants.
The event attracted around 600 competitors from 65 teams across 13 provinces, including members of the Chinese national jump rope team set to participate in the 2024 Asian Jump Rope Championships, as well as newcomers eager to make their mark.
Notably, the seventh-grade students from Beibaixiang Town’s Primary School made their national competition debut. Coach Ye Zeguang shared that the aim was for the kids to gain firsthand experience in the world of jump rope, fuel their motivations, and prepare for the 10-person long rope competition scheduled for 2025.
Participants included Chen Jiaxin and her teammates from Guangdong, who previously claimed multipleAsian gold medals. Coach Mai Xianping anticipated a more extensive array of events while expressing the hope for zero errors during their performances, with Chen aiming to surpass her previous achievement of 226 skips in 30 seconds.
Beyond being a sports competition, this event also showcased the integration of sports and tourism. Participants enjoyed discounts at local attractions while experiencing the stunning natural beauty of Yandang Mountain.
The championship was guided by the Zhejiang Provincial Sports Bureau, organized by the China Jianzi Association and co-organized by various local sports and government entities, including the Leqing Sports Development Center and the Leqing Cultural and Tourism Bureau.
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