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SHANGHAI, Nov. 4, 2022 /Xinhua=KYODO JBN/--

The 2022 Head of Shanghai River Regatta was held last weekend on the "Oriental

Rhine" Suzhou Creek, a tributary of the Huangpu River passing through downtown

Shanghai. The sports event will further lend steam to the city in its drive to

become a globally famous sports metropolis with worldwide influence.

Rowing has a history of 100 years in Shanghai. Nowadays, the integration and

quality improvement of the waterfront public space of the Huangpu River and

Suzhou Creek provide a good platform for the rowing event. The Head of Shanghai

River Regatta is not only a sports event, but also an excellent opportunity to

showcase Shanghai's urban development and river management.

The two-day event included a 4.2-kilometer chase and a 500-meter city dash. It

attracted over 40 participating teams, each consisting of eight rowers. They

competed in three divisions -- professional, college teams and clubs. Over 10

individual rowers from clubs also raced during the event.

The Huangpu River and Suzhou Creek carry the past, present and future of

Shanghai. Shanghai is gradually creating a "One River and One Creek" healthy

public space, and exploring a new model of integrating landscape space and

health features in large cities.

In recent years, a number of high-quality events, such as "Shanghai Cup" NACRA

Sailing Race, Suzhou Creek Dragon Boat Race, Suzhou Creek International

Kayaking Marathon and Suzhou Creek Rowing Open, have been held on the two

waters, displaying the development vitality of Shanghai.

Rowing has close ties with universities. In 2021, the university rowing team

participated in the Head of Shanghai River Regatta, demonstrating the spirit of

unity, progress and solidarity of Chinese college students.

"We are all very encouraged to win the championship, and excited to compete in

such a beautiful environment at home," said Hu Huiming, captain of the rowing

team of Shanghai Ocean University, which won the men's eight-person single-oar

4.2 km chase with helmsman in the college division .

It's expected that by hosting more top-level events, more people can learn

about events like rowing and participate in them, according to Luo Wenhua,

deputy director of Shanghai Administration of Sports, adding that people's

physique and mentality will be nourished during sports.

Source: Shanghai Administration of Sports

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   Caption: The 2022 Head of Shanghai River Regatta was held last weekend on the "Oriental

Rhine".