National gas volleyball invitational kicks off in Guiyang

The 2023 "Cool Guiyang" National Gas Volleyball Invitational Tournament kicked off at the Qianling Mountain Sports Park in Yunyan district in Guiyang, capital of Southwest China's Guizhou province, on Aug 11.

It will run until Aug 15, featuring men's and women's gas volleyball competitions comprising teams of five and broken into three age groups: for the youths, the middle-aged, and the elderly.

More than 1,200 athletes and referees from 148 teams have gathered in Guiyang to attend the tournament.

A traditional folk dance is performed during the opening ceremony of the 2023 "Cool Guiyang" National Gas Volleyball Invitational Tournament. [Photo/WeChat account of Yunyan district]

The opening ceremony kicked off with a traditional folk dance showcasing local cultural heritage. This was followed by a promotional video based on the theme of urban camping, fully displaying the achievements of Guiyang's sports development and its rich historical and cultural heritage, as well as the glamour of the tournament and the spirit of the players.

Players pose for a group photo. [Photo/WeChat account of Yunyan district]

The competition got underway at 10 am. Each team showed great enthusiasm and a combination of physical fitness and skill, with agile serves, accurate sets, powerful spikes, and strong blocks.

Tang Lu, a member of the middle-aged women's team from Yuechi in Sichuan province, said the cool weather in Guiyang was a blessing given the frenetic pace of the tournament.

Luo Sheng, a 58-year-old player from Xiushan in Chongqing, said gas volleyball is suitable for all ages, and organizing such competitions provides an excellent platform for people to communicate, expand their social circles, and enrich their leisure activities.

Gas volleyball, also known as air volleyball, is similar to the original sport but differs in terms of court and net size, as well as the competition rules and the incorporation of new technology.