"VAN" (Sports Desk - 20.02.2026) :: February 16 marked the traditional Chinese New Year, a festival during which almost all Chinese people slow down to enjoy family reunions. However, for Sanya, which is set to host the Sixth Asian Beach Games on April 22, this period promises to be busier and more fast-paced. Not only is Sanya expected to welcome over 2.45 million tourists during this year’s Spring Festival holiday, but as the first major international multi-sport event in Hainan since the customs closure of the Hainan Free Trade Port, Sanya is committed to perfecting all preparations to leave a lasting impression on the athletes arriving from across Asia.
63, the number of gold medals to be awarded. In July 2025, the competition events for the Sanya Asian Beach Games were finalized, featuring 14 major categories, 15 subcategories, and 63 specific events. These include familiar traditional sports like swimming and sailing, which are staples of the Olympic Games and Asian Games, as well as emerging and popular sports in recent years, such as beach kabaddi and teqball. Notably, speed climbing, a recent Olympic favorite, is also part of the lineup.
In determining the events, the Sanya Asian Beach Games fully considered the diversity of beach sports and the varied sporting cultures across Asian countries and regions. Therefore, the 63 events can be described as a fusion of richness and diversity, making this gathering another highly anticipated reunion for Asia’s sporting community.
190 the expected number This is the expected number of athletes representing China at the 6th Asian Beach Games. As the host nation, China will send its largest-ever delegation to these Games. All 45 member associations of the Olympic Council of Asia have registered to participate, with 3,798 athletes successfully enrolled by mid-January during the initial registration phase.
China’s 190 athletes will compete in 61 of the 63 events, excluding beach kabaddi. At the previous Asian Beach Games, the Chinese delegation secured 12 gold, 18 silver, and 19 bronze medals, ranking third on the medal table. This time, with a full-force effort, their ambitions are clearly set even higher.
However, the Asian Beach Games are not the ultimate goal for the Chinese delegation. Sports such as swimming, sailing, beach volleyball, and climbing are all Olympic events, and China intends to use these Games as practical training to strategically prepare for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Taking climbing as an example, the men’s speed event will feature established athletes like Wu Peng (Olympic silver medalist from Paris 2024), Long Jianguo (2025 World Champion), and rising star Zhao Yicheng, who is approaching the world records. The focused preparation for the Los Angeles Olympics is unmistakable.
Yaya, the mascot This is the name of the mascot for the Sixth Asian Beach Games. The energetic mascot is modeled after the Rucervus eldii, a first-class protected animal found exclusively in Hainan, China, earning it the nickname “Spirit of Hainan Island.”
From a design perspective, Yaya is also a masterstroke. First, the heart-shaped pattern on its nose symbolizes warmth and hospitality. Second, its attire blends traditional Li ethnic totems from Hainan with oceanic wave and ripple elements from Sanya, effectively capturing the essence of a beach sports event. Lastly, the thumbs-up gesture with its left hand conveys confidence and vitality, perfectly embodying the spirit of sports.
In recent years, mascots of major sporting events have gained immense popularity in China. From Bing Dwen Dwen at the Beijing Winter Olympics to the “Greater Bay Rooster” of the National Games of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, these mascots have become highly sought-after. It remains to be seen what level of enthusiasm Yaya will spark at the Sanya Asian Beach Games.
A Moment at Tianya This is the name of the medals for the Sixth Asian Beach Games. Inspired by the famous line from Tang Dynasty poet Zhang Jiuling, "As the bright moon shines over the sea, from far away you share this moment with me" the organizing committee has named the medals “A Moment at Tianya ”.
As a renowned tourist destination, Sanya has incorporated its tourism elements into the medal design. The iconic “Tianya Stone” of Sanya is featured, along with the straightforward English phrase “Welcome to Sanya.” Elements such as the coastline, waves, and sand can be seen as both a direct representation of Sanya’s natural landscape and a fitting tribute to the essence of the Asian Beach Games.
By unveiling these medals 100 days before the Sixth Asian Beach Games, Sanya has extended a warm invitation to all athletes, coaches, delegation officials, and beach sports enthusiasts: Sanya is ready！See ya in Sanya!
Cr-AIPS/Sanya2026
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