The China’s 15th National Games, the first cross-boundary edition of the event co-hosted by Guangdong Province, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and Macao SAR, wrapped up on Friday night.

This year’s program featured 419 gold medal events for elite athletes and 166 for amateurs. Mass participation became a defining feature, with more than 11,000 amateur athletes – including schoolchildren, teachers, doctors and farmers – reaching the final stage of competition. Participants ranged in age from 8 to 81.

“At the 15th National Games, in recorded events such as track and field, swimming, shooting, weightlifting, track cycling and rock climbing, 8 world records, 5 world junior records, 13 Asian records, 10 Asian junior records, 14 national records and 7 national junior records were set,” said Tong Lixin, deputy director of the organizing committee of 15th National Games.” In 12 events, the championship results exceeded those of the Paris Olympics. It comprehensively showcases the achievements of China’s competitive sports development.”