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On 20 February 2016,

in Sydney, Australia,

the annual event returns —

the largest dragon boat race in the Southern Hemisphere: the Sydney Dragon Boat Race.

More than 3,000 competitors gathered at Sydney's Darling Harbour to vie for the championship of Australia's premier dragon boat event.

22 crew members, a 12-metre-long dragon boat, carrying the national traditions of Chinese civilisation.

The dragon of ancient Chinese mythology soars through the clouds, roams the four seas, and delights across a thousand mountains. Steeped in legend and mystery, dragon boat racing has continued from the Shang and Zhou dynasties over 2,000 years ago right up to today, crossing oceans to reach Chinatowns around the world. As early as 1994, dragon boat racing came to Sydney, and it has gradually become a Lunar New Year celebration much loved by overseas Chinese and locals alike.

Before the race, the organisers held ceremonies such as sending off the water deity and giving thanks to the river in accordance with ancient Chinese customs, to thank the gods and pray for a safe and smooth dragon boat race.

The event ran in sequence from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a race held every 8 minutes. The competitors ranged from elders in their seventies to young athletes as young as 12. Tens of thousands of people gathered at Darling Harbour to cheer on the dragon boat teams with full enthusiasm.

Before the race, the coach explained the tactics to the crew.

The KVB Kunlun International dragon boat team, ready to set off.

The colourful dragon boats surge forward, cutting through the waves.

The PACIFIC DRAGON TEAM, sponsored by KVB Kunlun International, took the lead in the morning, first claiming the championship in the mixed doubles category. "Unity and progress, striving and perseverance" were vividly displayed in the dragon boat competition.

"We are NO.1！" After the KVB Kunlun International mixed dragon boat team won, the crew could barely contain their joy and excitement when facing the media interviews.

In the afternoon, the women's dragon boat team scored another victory, taking home the championship trophy in the women's category; the men's team also broke the race record this time, bravely earning second place. With this, from 2007 to the present, Pacific Dragon has successfully defended its title, winning ten consecutive championships in both the mixed and women's categories. Their spirit of striving to be the best and fighting tenaciously echoes the 15-year journey of struggle of KVB Kunlun International.

Victory! Born of working together with one heart, bringing joy and cheers!

After the race, Mr. Steven Lau, Executive Director and CEO of KVB Kunlun International, presented the victory awards to the dragon boat crew, and was given a signed team jersey from the dragon boat team.

The drumbeats of the dragon boat race have yet to fade. In April, the KVB Kunlun International dragon boat team will travel to Adelaide to compete in the 2016 Dragon Boat World Cup. We wish the KVB Kunlun International dragon boat team excellent results.

First place! This is our shared victory!