The Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) recently held its 6^th Spring Semester Sports Meeting at the Green Pine Capital Stadium. Centered around the theme of “Strengthening bodies, shaping character”, this year’s event attracted 84 teams and nearly 1,000 participants.

The competition featured separate divisions for undergraduate and graduate students. Undergraduates competed in teams based on their residential colleges, while graduate students formed teams representing ten academic schools and colleges, including the College of Science, College of Engineering, School of Life Sciences, and the School of Medicine.

The sports meeting included both individual and team competitions across 15 events, including ultimate frisbee, long rope jumping, 50-meter sprints, endurance runs (800m/1000m), lung capacity tests, flexibility assessments, pull-ups, and sit-ups.

Among the highlights were the rowing challenge and the all-around fitness competition, which tested participants’ physical strength, technical skills, and teamwork.

On the field, students showcased their determination and sportsmanship. Frisbees soared across the sky, synchronized cheers echoed through the jump rope competition, and sprinters raced down the track, while long-distance runners embodied perseverance. The crowd-favorite rowing challenge brought the day’s excitement to a peak.

After intense competition, Shuren, Shude, and Zhiren Colleges claimed the top three spots in the undergraduate division. The College of Science, College of Engineering, School of Life Sciences, and the School of Medicine secured the highest overall scores among graduate teams.

In the undergraduate class competition, the top three teams were Class 2428 of Shuren College, Class 2418 of Shude College, and Class 2403 of Zhixin College.

In recent years, SUSTech has embraced a “health first” philosophy, continuously exploring innovative ways to enhance students’ physical well-being. The University has implemented a series of systematic and practical sports education reforms, introducing events such as weight-loss challenges, interclass tug-of-war tournaments, class-based fitness assessments, and athletic proficiency competitions. These initiatives have significantly improved students’ overall fitness.

SUSTech has also incorporated physical fitness test results into the evaluation system for physical education courses, comprehensive awards, and graduate program recommendations. Each year, the University organizes more than 20 fitness enhancement activities and 20 traditional sports competitions. It has developed a comprehensive physical education model that encourages broad student participation, integrates classroom learning with extracurricular sports, and supports the development of innovative talents.