XJTLU Attends the 1st SEID Dragon-Boat Race

(XJTLU, China - Nov. 8th) The 1st Dragon-Boat Race for higher education institutes in Dushu Lake Science and Education Innovation District (SEID) was recently held in the Aquatic Sports Centre of Suzhou. Institutions from the area, such as Xi an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), Renmin university, Suzhou Institute of Advanced Study, USTC, etc., took part in the 400m speed race for men s group. After a two-round competition, XJTLU won 7th place at her debut in the games.

There are currently 30 members in our university s team, said Li Bing, captain of the XJTLU dragon-boat team. Rowing, especially in a dragon-boat race is a very competitive activity which puts high demands on the rowers physical and mental strengths. We were satisfied with the result, but we will make more effort to achieve better results in the next game. Li Bing added.

Ms. Gong Xijuan, advisor of the Aquatic Sports Association at XJTLU, also a teacher at the University s PE Centre, expressed, Rowing has been a conventional event among universities like Harvard, Yale, Oxford, Cambridge and so on since its commencement in the Thames. The initial intention for the establishment of the Association is to form a student rowing team for XJTLU. Dushu Lake has great resources for aquatic sports and we have been receiving supports from the Higher Education Town.

Five students from XJTLU were selected into SEID (HET) s Dragon-Boat Team this June and won the Men s group, whilst finishing second in the Women s group in this year s Suzhou Dragon-Boat Race during the Dragon Boat Festival.

They will represent Suzhou city to take part in the 2nd Yangtze Delta City Dragon-Boat Race, to be held at the beginning of November in Shanghai. Grayson, an international student from XJTLU, who has also participated in the Suzhou Dragon-boat event said, I like this race very much. The trainings provide me with opportunities to further understand Chinese culture, and to make friends with more Chinese young people.

It is known that XJTLU s Aquatic Sports Association is actively organising sports clubs to attract more students, including international students, into this sport.

(Editor: Chili Li, Ross Carragher)