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Former world and Olympic gymnastics champion Li Xiaopeng tries his hand at pickleball during the event. CHINA DAILY
The Finals also drew a "champion cheering squad", led by eponymous sporting goods brand founder and former world champion gymnast Li Ning himself. He was joined by other Olympic and world champion gymnasts Lou Yun, Li Xiaopeng, Li Chunyang and Bi Wenjing. Their appearance electrified the crowd, and their interactions with players offered an added layer of inspiration.
After trying pickleball for the first time at the Finals, Li Xiaopeng noted the sport's potential benefits.
"It might help athletes with agility and movement," he said, adding that compared with racket-sport professionals, "our ball sense is still much weaker, especially in footwork — there is a lot to learn."
This year's Finals were the culmination of a long journey across the country. Since early spring, the China Pickleball Circuit has traveled through 12 cities — from Dandong of Liaoning province and Nanyang in Henan province, to Shaanxi's Xi'an, Zhejiang's Ningbo and Hubei's Wuhan.
As many as 56 overseas athletes from 17 countries and regions competed in the Li-Ning Cup in Guilin. CHINA DAILY
Bai Xilin, director of the tennis administration center under the General Administration of Sport of China, noted that, in recent months, the sport's visibility and participation levels have grown significantly nationwide.
"We want this event to expand pickleball's impact and improve its popularity," Bai said.
"Participants can gain physical and mental well-being, joy and a sense of a happier life."
He added that organizers are continuing to refine the event and hope more athletes from tennis, table tennis and badminton will bring their expertise into pickleball.
Bai is optimistic about what lies ahead — envisioning future Finals with more than a thousand spectators inside an arena, accompanied by livestreamed coverage.
