Athletes from across China compete in the 2026 China Extreme Dance Performance Competition in Sanya from Wednesday to Thursday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
China has opened its 2026 extreme sports season with a national-level competition in Sanya that combines street dance and athletic performance on land and underwater stages.
The two-day China Extreme Dance Performance Competition, held from Wednesday to Thursday in the southern island province of Hainan, brought together competitors from more than 10 provinces and regions.
According to the event's organizing committee, it's China's first national-level extreme sports event combining land and water-based dance. The competition leverages policy benefits from the Hainan Free Trade Port to boost Sanya's tourism and sports industry.
The program included solo and group performances as well as head-to-head battles. Participants were divided into two age groups, ranging from children to adults aged up to 45.
On land, dancers performed flips and spins, while underwater competitors executed complex movements while holding their breath, contending with buoyancy and water resistance. The underwater stage measured 2.5 meters deep, 3 meters wide, and 8 meters long, with a large viewing window for spectators.
Athletes from across China compete in the 2026 China Extreme Dance Performance Competition in Sanya from Wednesday to Thursday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Extreme dance is a relatively new discipline that blends street dance techniques with competitive sports rules. It was introduced by the Chinese Extreme Sports Association in 2001 and has grown steadily in popularity, particularly after break dancing was included in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
This year's competition marked a first by presenting land and underwater routines as a single, coordinated performance using shared lighting and music to create what organisers described as a "boundary-free" stage.
Liu Qing, secretary-general of the Chinese Extreme Sports Association, said the group would continue innovating and promoting extreme dance with Chinese characteristics on the global stage.
The event also served as the launch of China's 2026 extreme sports season, which will feature competitions in surfing, skateboarding, and outdoor adventure sports later in the year.
Sanya's warm climate and clean waters provide ideal conditions for water sports and new athletic events.
Athletes from across China compete in the 2026 China Extreme Dance Performance Competition in Sanya from Wednesday to Thursday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Since the Hainan Free Trade Port began island-wide special customs operations on Dec 18, 2025, policies such as zero tariffs, tax incentives, and easier international personnel movement have lowered costs for global events, helping Sanya attract international sports organizations and operational resources, local authorities said. Hosting new events can also link sports viewing with vacation and shopping, deepening cultural and tourism exchanges.
Heiko Roeder, managing director of Atlantis Sanya, which provided the venue for the events, said the resort has hosted high-level mermaid competitions and New Year water dance shows, and will continue supporting Hainan's tourism and sports industry. The resort plans to use the events to expand the extreme sports industry chain and explore performance economy and derivative product development.
Athletes from across China compete in the 2026 China Extreme Dance Performance Competition in Sanya from Wednesday to Thursday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Athletes from across China compete in the 2026 China Extreme Dance Performance Competition in Sanya from Wednesday to Thursday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Athletes from across China compete in the 2026 China Extreme Dance Performance Competition in Sanya from Wednesday to Thursday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Athletes from across China compete in the 2026 China Extreme Dance Performance Competition in Sanya from Wednesday to Thursday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Athletes from across China compete in the 2026 China Extreme Dance Performance Competition in Sanya from Wednesday to Thursday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
