The opening ceremony of the World Academic Varsity Excellence in Sports (WAVES) event at Shenzhen Technology University in Pingshan District on Oct. 27. Photos from the event organizer

More than 1,000 alumni from 85 prestigious institutions, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Cambridge and University of Oxford, participated in the opening ceremony of the World Academic Varsity Excellence in Sports (WAVES) event held at Shenzhen Technology University in Pingshan District on Oct. 27.

Part of the 8th Shenzhen Talent Day events, the WAVES features 11 diverse and trendy sports across the city, promising a thrilling year ahead. It aims to enhance engagement among global talent while promoting sportsmanship and camaraderie. The event is not only a sports showdown but also a platform for young talent to network across disciplines. This year's festivities include popular events such as pickleball, beach volleyball, paddleboarding, frisbee, table tennis, badminton, basketball, swimming, and chess, catering to a wide range of professionals and age groups.

At the opening ceremony, Yang Jun, secretary of the CPC Pingshan District Committee, emphasized Shenzhen's commitment to fostering talent from around the world. “We aim to create a platform where talent can engage in sports and forge friendships outside their professional lives,” he said.

Alumni enter the stadium during the opening ceremony of the WAVES event Oct. 27.

Georg W. Wimmer, a professor at Shenzhen Technology University, participates in the fun sports games of the WAVES event Oct. 27.

After the opening ceremony, exciting games were held, including a penalty challenge, dragon run, and drum battle. Teams enthusiastically competed for 31 trophies. The Shenzhen Technology University team won first place, while the DNG Northern Alliance team and alumni from the Southern University of Science and Technology secured second place. Other notable winners included the Shenzhen University alumni team, the CUBU Shining Dreams team, and the University of Pennsylvania Red and Blue team.

The Oct. 27 event highlighted several notable figures, including Peter Lobie, a fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Olympic gold medalists Liu Hong and Chen Ding, and badminton world youth champion Wang Zhengming. Alumni association leaders from prominent universities such as Harvard University and Columbia University also attended, underscoring the global significance of the event.

Participants enjoy the fun sports games of the WAVES event Oct. 27.

Reflecting on the event, Song Jianyuan, a participant, remarked, “This year's World Academic Varsity Excellence in Sports event offers a variety of activities. It fosters friendships and embodies Shenzhen's dedication to nurturing talent.” Li Jianmo, president of the South China Alumni Association of Imperial College London, said, “This event creates opportunities for interaction and allows alumni to experience Shenzhen's deep appreciation for talent.”