The USTC International Student Dragon and Lion Dance Team won second place in the Adult Division Dragon Dance Freestyle Routine at the 2026 Anhui Provincial Dragon and Lion Dance Championship, held in Guzhen County, Bengbu, on October 6–7.
Held at the square of the Gaixia Ruins Museum, the championship featured more than 30 teams and nearly 400 athletes competing in a vibrant celebration of traditional Chinese sports and culture. Organized by the Anhui Provincial Sports Bureau, the event is one of the province’s highest-level and largest-scale competitions for dragon and lion dance.
The two-day championship featured four competition divisions and four major disciplines: dragon dance, Southern Lion, Northern Lion, and ribbon dragon. Competitors took part in compulsory and freestyle routines, speed events, obstacle courses, and creative performances, showcasing not only technical skills and teamwork but also the creativity and cultural appeal of dragon and lion dance.
Among the participants was the USTC International Student Dragon and Lion Dance Team, whose members come from countries including Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Pakistan, Nigeria, Mongolia, and the United States.
On October 6, the team performed at the opening ceremony and joined an evening dragon and lion dance parade through Guzhen. Accompanied by the energetic beat of drums and gongs, the international students brought the distinctive charm of traditional Chinese folk culture to the local community.
On October 7, the team competed in the championship’s formal events. Through close coordination, steady execution, and an engaging freestyle routine, the USTC team earned second place in the Adult Division Dragon Dance Freestyle Routine, marking an impressive achievement against strong teams from across Anhui.
Founded in 2025, the USTC International Student Dragon and Lion Dance Team brings together students from around the world who share an interest in Chinese traditional culture. Since its establishment, team members have trained regularly and performed at a variety of campus events and cultural exchange programs, gradually developing their skills while gaining a deeper understanding of the cultural traditions behind dragon and lion dance.
For these international students, dragon and lion dance has become more than a sport. It provides an engaging way to experience Chinese intangible cultural heritage firsthand, while also creating opportunities to connect with local communities and share their own experiences of Chinese culture with audiences from different backgrounds.
The team’s achievement at the provincial championship is a recognition of the dedication and teamwork of its members, as well as a meaningful example of intercultural exchange through traditional Chinese sports. Competing alongside skilled performers from across the province, the USTC international students showcased the vitality and inclusiveness of Chinese traditional culture on the provincial stage.
Looking ahead, the USTC International Student Dragon and Lion Dance Team will continue to train, perform, and connect with audiences through dragon and lion dance, contributing to cultural exchange and mutual understanding through the shared language of sport and tradition.