The traditional Chinese game da tuoluo, or top-spinning, a cherished childhood pastime for many, has been featured at the ongoing 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province.
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Dating back thousands of years, da tuoluo holds a deep cultural legacy. Over the centuries, the game has become a popular pastime across China, especially in southern regions such as Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi, and Fujian.
Top-spinning is played on a 15x20-meter field, where defenders keep their tops spinning within a 0.75-meter radius, while attackers aim to hit them with precise throws from outside the offensive line to score points.
Elevating its status from a casual hobby to a recognized sport, top-spinning was officially introduced as a competition during the 5th national ethnic games in 1995. Today, it continues to connect people with China's rich cultural heritage while bringing joy and nostalgia to all generations.