Feature: Myanmar athletes gearing up for dragon boat debut at Chengdu World Games

Myanmar's dragon boat squad pushes through rain in Yangon ahead of the 2025 Chengdu World Games, targeting medals as dragon boat racing debuts on the global stage.

YANGON, July 28 (Xinhua) -- A cold Monday morning drizzle in the rainy season lingered over Inya Lake as paddles cut through the still water. With ten days remaining until the 2025 Chengdu World Games, Myanmar's dragon boat team was training relentlessly.

At the Myanmar Rowing and Canoeing Federation compound in Yangon, the sound of synchronized strokes echoed. Coaches call instructions from the banks while athletes push through drills, focusing on rhythm, power and perfect team coordination.

Pyae Sone Aung, 22, rested his paddle after a sprint set. "I am very happy and satisfied as I will compete in the World Games in China. As there are many good teams, we are preparing our best."

"I do train my best as my coaches ask," he said. "I am from Maubin township in Ayeyarwady. I got interested in the sports as my uncle and aunty are national athletes," he said proudly.

"As our sport is a team sport, we have to overcome the challenges faced during training with team spirit," he said. "I want to promote the development of dragon boat racing in Myanmar with medals."

"China has a lot of modern infrastructure. There are many things to be learned in China. We are training our best," Pyae Sone Aung said.

Nway Ei Phyu, 21, adjusted her grip as her paddle splashed from the last drill. "I am very excited as a new generation athlete. This will be my second time in an international event," she said, breathing hard.

"The first time I participated in an international event was in Thailand," she said. "I have prepared my best. Our biggest competitors are China, Thailand and Indonesia," she said, adding that it would be her first visit to China.

Veteran paddler Hla Hla Htwe, 32, has been with the rowing team for over 11 years. She has participated in many international events since joining Myanmar's national team at 18. "My aunties were also national athletes," she said.

"As it's the first time at the World Games, we must train very hard," she added. "Our coaches support and encourage us every day. As a team sport, unity is everything. If we are not united, other teams will easily beat us."

The World Games will include six different dragon boat racing disciplines, with races covering 200, 500 and 2,000 meters, and crews of either eight or 10 athletes.

Dragon boat racing has been an invitational sport in the World Games three times, and is to be included fully for the first time at the Chengdu Games.

Originating in China, dragon boat racing uses unique boats that are decorated with dragon-like features. Paddlers sit facing forwards on both sides, each having one paddle.

On the bank of Inya Lake, coach U Thein Win, 55, said, "We have competed in two qualifiers for the World Games. We qualified with third place and became one of 12 teams."

"We have been training since the qualifiers," he said. "As it is a world event, there are powerful teams in Southeast Asia and strong crews from Europe," he continued.

"The competition is very strong. All teams want their best results. We also want our best results," he said.

He wiped his brow, recalling his own career. "It is the highest event so far for the dragon boat athletes. I was a rower from 1989 to 2003 and have been working as a coach since 2006," he said.

"In my joint training visit to China, I saw how China's team train three times a day. We train twice a day," he said. "We share similar food to China, and their culture feels familiar to us," he reflected.

Myanmar's dragon boat delegation, which includes six male athletes, six female athletes, a team leader, a manager and two coaches, departs for China on August 6. ■