A total of 729 participants from 33 universities across Guangdong competed in the province's second college physical fitness championship, held June 6-7 at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou.
Physical fitness, or functional fitness, is a training style that integrates strength training, cardiovascular endurance, and full-body functional movements. It has grown rapidly in recent years, driven in part by the rising popularity of competitions such as HYROX and CrossFit.
The Guangdong competition featured both individual and team events. Participants completed tasks such as tire flips, rowing sprints, sled pushes, shuttle runs, and farmer's carries.
"Physical fitness is becoming increasingly popular among students for its diverse, engaging, and socially interactive events," said Qu Ping, an associate professor at Sun Yat-sen University and one of the competition organizers.
Qu also noted that under recent reforms to modern pentathlon, obstacle racing will replace equestrian events. The new discipline, which features movements commonly seen in functional fitness training, will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Zhu Zhengyu, president of the Guangdong Student Sports and Arts Federation, said the sport is designed to promote "all-round" physical development.
"It combines strength, endurance, speed, agility, and flexibility," he said, adding that it aligns with the goal of prioritizing student health while fostering long-term exercise habits.
Guangdong is one of the first regions in China to launch a provincial functional fitness competition for college students and has now hosted the event for two consecutive years.
Physical fitness, or functional fitness, is a training style that integrates strength training, cardiovascular endurance, and full-body functional movements. It has grown rapidly in recent years, driven in part by the rising popularity of competitions such as HYROX and CrossFit.
The Guangdong competition featured both individual and team events. Participants completed tasks such as tire flips, rowing sprints, sled pushes, shuttle runs, and farmer's carries.
"Physical fitness is becoming increasingly popular among students for its diverse, engaging, and socially interactive events," said Qu Ping, an associate professor at Sun Yat-sen University and one of the competition organizers.
Qu also noted that under recent reforms to modern pentathlon, obstacle racing will replace equestrian events. The new discipline, which features movements commonly seen in functional fitness training, will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Zhu Zhengyu, president of the Guangdong Student Sports and Arts Federation, said the sport is designed to promote "all-round" physical development.
"It combines strength, endurance, speed, agility, and flexibility," he said, adding that it aligns with the goal of prioritizing student health while fostering long-term exercise habits.
Guangdong is one of the first regions in China to launch a provincial functional fitness competition for college students and has now hosted the event for two consecutive years.
Reporter | Chen Siyuan
Photo | Sun Yat-sen University
