SIAT claims top honor at rowing league

The Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIAT) rowing team clinched the coveted title as the annual champion of the Second Shenzhen X9 Alliance of Universities and Institutes Rowing League Around X-Lake Sciensity yesterday afternoon, after navigating through six sub-competitions held throughout the spring and autumn seasons.

Battling along the Dasha River at University Town in Nanshan District, the rowing team fought to beat their competitors in the finals, which also marked the third stage of the autumn season.

The rowing team of the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIAT) (front) competes against that of the Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School during the 2nd Shenzhen X9 Alliance of Universities and Institutes Rowing League Around X-Lake Sciensity held on the Dasha River at the Shenzhen University Town in Nanshan District yesterday. SIAT was crowned. The race was a sideline event of the 25th China Hi-Tech Fair, which opened yesterday. Liu Xudong

The second Shenzhen X9 Alliance rowing league featured both spring and autumn seasons, each comprising three races and adopting a total score system.

After six races, SIAT emerged victorious with the highest cumulative points, securing this year’s gold prize.

More than 300 rowers, organized into over 20 teams from nine universities and institutions, including Shenzhen University, the Southern University of Science and Technology, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Pengcheng Laboratory, and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, competed in the second X9 Alliance rowing tournament.

Among them, four universities claimed the group first prize, while the remaining five universities took home the group second prize. The awards were presented during a closing ceremony held after the finals.

Recipients of other honors including excellent rowers and academician helmsman were also unveiled at the ceremony.

The second Shenzhen X9 Alliance rowing event was hosted by the Shenzhen Municipal Education Bureau, and jointly organized by SUSTech, the Nanshan District Government, and the Guangming District Government.

Rowing, acknowledged as a sport demanding strong teamwork, remains exceptionally popular among universities worldwide.

During the closing ceremony, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School was announced as the new rotating chairman of the X9 Alliance, tasked with organizing major games next year.

Simultaneously, the inaugural X9 Alliance badminton and chess leagues concluded yesterday, attracting nearly 300 badminton players and close to 100 chess enthusiasts.