By Zaynab Kawtharani
OCA Young Reporter
Sanya, China, April 24, 2026: China secured the gold medal in the men’s Dragon Boat 100m Grand Final at the 6th Asian Beach Games Sanya 2026 after delivering a powerful and highly coordinated performance in a tightly contested race held at the Sanya River on Friday.
China finished first in a time of 24.076 seconds, narrowly edging out their rivals in one of the closest finishes of the competition and confirming their dominance in the final moments of the race.
Thailand claimed the silver medal in 24.210 seconds, while Chinese Taipei took bronze with a time of 24.938 seconds, completing the podium in a closely fought final decided by fractions of a second.
The final was among the most competitive races of the dragon boat programme, with the top teams separated by only fractions of a second in a display of precision, coordination, and explosive speed.
China Team Manager Wang Di said the narrow margin made the victory even more meaningful for the host nation.
“Winning the gold medal is a very exciting feeling because the difference between us and Thailand was extremely small. It was a difficult race and the competition level was very high,” Wang said.
Wang noted that dragon boat racing remains closely tied to Chinese cultural traditions while also serving as a sport that emphasizes unity and teamwork.
“This sport is important to us because it is part of our tradition and culture. At the same time, it is very interesting and requires strong cooperation between all members of the team,” he said.
Despite China’s victory, Wang praised Thailand’s performance in the final and described the silver medallists as one of the strongest teams in the competition.
“Our team performed well today, but Thailand is a very strong team and they pushed us throughout the race,” he added.
According to Wang, the Chinese team prepared for one month ahead of the Games in order to reach peak competitive condition.
Chinese athlete Zhou Guichao emphasized the pride associated with representing the nation on home waters.
“You must perform to the very best of your ability and make yourself and your country proud,” Zhou said.
The event reflected the spirit of solidarity and friendship promoted by the Asian Beach Games, bringing together athletes from across the continent through one of Asia’s most traditional and symbolic sports.
Held along the scenic Sanya River, the dragon boat competitions continue to be a major attraction at Asian Beach Games Sanya 2026.