One of the unique events of the Military World Games is the Naval Pentathlon, a multi-sport event with individual and team competition for men and women. CGTN has the rare opportunity to observe a PLA training session at the Wuhan venue.
First naval pentathlon in China
"China is a country that embraces the inclusive spirit. So do Chinese soldiers. We will fight with them at the Games, but we treat them all as our guests," says athlete Zhang Qingyue.
"Chinese female soldiers aren't like the greenhouse flowers that some imagine. Women are as good as men," says athlete Xie Ronghua.
And all the military athletes are ready to "fight" in the competition. The venues are ready, and they are considered some of the best.
This is the first time that Chinese athletes will be participating in this event, so the team is excited about the prospect of glory.
A bird-eye's view of Naval Pentathlon venue at Mulan Lake at the Naval University of Engineering, Wuhan, Hubei. /CGTN Photo
The Naval Pentathlon includes five events: Obstacle course, life saving swimming, utility swimming, seamanship, and amphibious cross-country race.
Presenting a rising PLA Navy
"The Naval Pentathlon is a sport very close to military training. These events summarize the standards of naval combat training," says coach Feng Yu.
Zhang Qingyue is training on the obstacle course. The course is 305 meters for men and 280 meters for women. There are ten obstacles in the men's competition and nine in the women's. /CGTN Photo
Feng Yu says the Naval Pentathlon can help prepare sailors for actual combat situations. And through the Games, he hopes to know more about the foreign teams' level of training.
Though only two years old, the Naval Pentathlon Team is extremely dedicated during training and gives it all. Athletes are pumped up at the prospect of winning the competition. The Games are a chance to show the world a new image of a rising PLA Navy.