An exhilarating display of skill, speed, and tradition unfolded in Tongren, Guizhou Province, during this year's Duanwu Festival on June 10. Sixty-nine traditional dragon boat teams comprising 3,450 athletes offered a "fast and furious" spectacle on the water.

As the start whistle echoed across the river, the boats surged forward, slicing through the water with precision and power. On the riverbanks, spectators erupted into cheers, their excitement matching the intensity of the rowers.

This year's race featured a 500-meter sprint and showcased a unique local style of rowing. Unlike the standard dragon boat racing posture where rowers sit and paddle with palms facing up, this traditional method involves rowers standing and bending forward, using their abdominal strength to pull the paddles.

As the boats glided through the river, they carried with them the hopes and dreams of the people, merging the past with the present in a powerful display of resilience and community.