Thirty-one competitors were due to participate in the finals of the Sanya International Bodybuilding & Bikini Contest in southern China on Saturday evening.

The event began Friday afternoon and continued into the night. It saw more than 600 participants demonstrate their fit and chiseled bodies on stage, divided into different groups based on weight and height. 

Men's categories include bodybuilding, master bodybuilding, teen bodybuilding, classic physique and men's physique. The top 23 participants made the final cut.

In the women's bikini contests, the top eight competitors will vie for the overall title along with other three physique winners. 

The annual event, which has been drawing many local and international participants, also had former Mr Olympia Milos Sarcev in attendance. 

Sarcev was all praise for the beautiful beach resort in China as he said, “I have heard from many many people that Sanya is like Hawaii. Even when I was flying into the island it was looking like a paradise from the air.” 

While speaking on the competition he mentioned, “(Saturday) is the men's physique competition and I believe, since current Mr Olympia Shawn Rhoden is competing, he will be a favorite to win but there are a few other great competitors.” 

With the support of the Sanya municipal government, the annual event was started in 2011 by Qian Jicheng, China's first-ever world champion in bodybuilding.