On the occasion of the 2025 Dragon Boat Festival, the International Students Dragon Boat Team of Beijing Normal University made a spirited appearance at the "Jiuzhou Dragon Boat Showcase" held in the royal gardens of the Old Summer Palace, joining teams from universities across Beijing. Under the slogan "Sailing in Unity, Racing as One Nation", BNU's team proudly clinched third place in this festive cultural competition!

The International Students Dragon Boat Team of BNU was composed of 13 culturally diverse participants—11 international students from around the world and 2 Chinese teammates paddling side by side.

Showcasing its signature theme of international fusion, the team took to the waters of Houhu Lake on the afternoon of May 31. With synchronized strength and teamwork, they raced through a 1500-meter marker-turn course, powerfully embodying the Dragon Boat Festival's spirit of unity and the thrill of athleticism.

To prepare for this cultural showdown, the team conducted a water trial session on May 30 at Houhu Lake. From perfecting paddle grips to syncing rhythm, the international paddlers made rapid progress under the guidance of their coach.

During the official race the next day, the sound of beating drums and team chants echoed across the lake. The determined strokes of Chinese and international students became the perfect interpretation of the event's theme: "Meeting Friends through Dragon Boats."

The event was featured on CCTV-4, with a special report titled "International Students Join Dragon Boat Races: See How Foreigners Paddle to the Chinese Rhythm." The team captain Faustina from Nigeria shared in an interview: "I’ve watched dragon boat races in China over the years, but this was my first time experiencing it myself!"