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HONG KONG, Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On December 12 and 13, the 2024 China Mermaid Open Grand Final and Asian Cup commenced grandly at Atlantis Sanya. As the first Asian Cup for mermaid sports, this event marks a significant leap toward greater internationalization and professionalism in this emerging discipline. It also injects new momentum into the promotion and development of mermaid sports across Asia and globally.
The competition comprises two key events: the 2024 Mermaid Open Grand Final and the first Asian Cup. Over 70 top athletes from countries and regions including China, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Hong Kong, Macau, and Chinese Taipei will compete at the Ambassador Lagoon, a professional aquatic venue at Atlantis Sanya. They will vie for the titles of Annual Champion and the first Asian Cup Champion.
Since the launch of the China Mermaid Open by the Water Sports Administration Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, the sport has matured significantly through ten open tournaments. A mermaid competition system has taken shape in China, evolving into a prominent water sports discipline both domestically and internationally. Each year, these tournaments not only attract professional athletes but also provide visitors with a spectacular blend of visual and artistic enjoyment.
This event is jointly hosted by the Water Sports Administration Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, the China Water Ski, Underwater & Powerboat Federation, the Asian Underwater Federation, and the Hainan Provincial Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television, and Sports, in collaboration with Fosun Tourism Group. It is organized by the Sanya Municipal Bureau of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television, and Sports and Atlantis Sanya of Hainan Atlantis Commerce and Tourism Development Co., Ltd., with support from the Haitang District Bureau of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television, and Sports.
The competition venue for this year's event is once again the iconic Ambassador Lagoon at Atlantis Sanya. With 13,500 tons of pure seawater and an 11-meter-deep open-air setting, it offers an exceptional stage for participants to showcase their skills. Spectators can enjoy a breathtaking view of the underwater performances through a massive 16.5-meter-wide, 10-meter-high high-transparency acrylic, allowing for an up-close appreciation of the elegance and allure of mermaid diving.
Fosun Tourism Group CEO Bao Jiangjun remarked: "We are honored to have Atlantis Sanya host this prestigious international event once again. As a perfect blend of sport and art, mermaid diving injects new vitality into the development of high-quality tourism. Fosun Tourism Group is committed to integrating tourism with sports, culture, and entertainment, creating innovative consumption scenarios for cultural and sports tourism. We hope that hosting this event will enrich Hainan's sports tourism offerings, cater to the demand for high-quality and diverse travel experiences, contribute to the establishment of a National Sports Tourism Demonstration Zone in Hainan, and support the development of an International Tourism Consumption Center."