Visiting athletes hail Sanya at halfway mark of 2026 Asian Beach Games

With the sixth edition of the Asian Beach Games crossing the halfway point in Sanya, international athletes have lauded the gathering's organization and logistics. The continental competition, running from April 22-30, marks a historic milestone as the first major international sporting event hosted in Hainan Province since the island-wide Free Trade Port was launched last December.

For many participants, China's reputation for staging world-class events has been reaffirmed in Sanya. Marc Alexander Lim, a member of the Philippines jiu-jitsu team, noted that the seamless efficiency has set a daunting bar for future hosts.

"It never ceases to impress us," Lim told Sports Scene's Shen Xiang, comparing the experience to the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. "Everything is super smooth for the Asian Beach Games. It puts pressure on us to live up to this expectation for 2028 when the Philippines hosts."

His teammate, Myron Myles Mangubat, highlighted the team's early success on the sand, picking up two gold medals and a silver. Beyond the bouts, the delegation has also embraced Sanya's culture, with Lim praising the seafood at the city's night markets and expressing a desire to "stay an extra day or two" on his next visit to dine with local residents.

The 2026 edition has attracted athletes from 45 delegations, including Lebanon's beach volleyball team. Hadi El Chabib, who competed in the round of 16 against Kazakhstan, described the experience as a perfect blend of high-level sport and cultural discovery.

"It's a beautiful country, beautiful people, very nice culture," El Chabib said. "The competition here is very well organized. We're enjoying it a lot."

For first-time visitors like Hamad Almasoud of Kuwait's sailing team, the focus remains squarely on the podium.

"I like China. The competition is really hard and difficult," Almasoud concluded. "All the players are thinking about the medal."

As the event's sixth edition moves toward its final days of competition, the "Sanya Spirit" of efficiency and hospitality appears to be the defining takeaway for Asia's elite beach athletes.