The World Ranking Event was held

On December 31st, under the auspices of the International Orienteering Federation, the Dinghai Foot Orienteering World Ranking Event in Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, was ceremoniously launched in Dinghai, Zhoushan, also known as the "East China Sea Pearl." The event was co-organized by the Aeronautics, Radio, Orienteering and Model Sports Administrative Center of General Administration of Sport of China, the Chinese Radio Sports and Orienteering Association, the People's Government of Dinghai District, Zhoushan, and Zhoushan Dinghai Bureau of Culture, Radio, Tourism, and Sports. The initiative received support from Zhoushan Municipal People's Government and Zhejiang Administration of Sports. The event attracted international elite orienteering athletes from countries and regions such as Spain, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Norway, Sweden, Ukraine, Italy, Argentina, Hong Kong (China), Macau (China), as well as 570 professional orienteering athletes from 16 domestic provinces and municipalities, and over 1,200 orienteering enthusiasts. Against the backdrop of welcoming the New Year, they embarked on a "physical and intellectual" dual competition, igniting the shores of the East China Sea with a feast of running.

Athletes from around the world set off passionately, competing on the same field. Despite different skin colors and diverse languages, they traversed picturesque mountains and seas, walked through natural oxygen bars, and circled around the winding paths of the mountain. Using maps and compasses, they sought hidden checkpoints, overcoming numerous challenges. In the embrace of sea and mountains, Dinghai became a place where athletes from home and abroad shared the challenges, joy, and health benefits brought by orienteering.

According to information available, the event spanned 2 days, running from December 31, 2023, to January 1, 2024. It featured two competition categories: the Elite Category and the Open Category. The Elite Category comprised two sub-groups, namely the Men's Elite and Women's Elite. International participants needed to be ranked within the top 300 globally, while domestic athletes were required to achieve top-10 placements in national age groups or provincial championships. The Open Category was further divided by age, including Children's Group M10, W10 (6-11 years), Youth Group M12, W12 (12-14 years), Junior Group M15, W15 (15-17 years), Adult Group M21, W21 (18-50 years), and Middle-Aged Group M35, W35 (35-65 years). The first day of competition featured short-distance races and orienteering. After intense competition, Tomas Krivda from the Czech Republic emerged victorious in the Men's Elite category for the short-distance race, securing the championship with a remarkable time of 12 minutes and 25 seconds. Yannick Michiels from Belgium claimed the second position with a time of 13 minutes and 08 seconds, while Jonas Hubacek, also from the Czech Republic, earned the third spot with a time of 13 minutes and 33 seconds. In the Women's Elite category for the short-distance race, Jana Peterova from the Czech Republic took the crown with a time of 14 minutes and 31 seconds. Lone Brochmann from Norway secured the second position with a time of 15 minutes and 34 seconds, and Martinba Palumbo from Italy claimed the third position with a time of 16 minutes and 35 seconds.

The World Ranking Event stands as one of the premier series in orienteering, attracting top-level international athletes. The Dinghai Foot Orienteering World Ranking Event in Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province marks the first international orienteering event hosted by Dinghai, signifying a milestone in promoting orienteering and the development of nationwide fitness activities in the region. Using the competition as a platform for global dialogue, the hosting of this event signifies that Dinghai has now become a crucial stop on the world orienteering event circuit. It captures the attention and interest of orienteering enthusiasts worldwide, contributing to the continuous elevation of Dinghai's urban brand image on the global stage.

A high-profile global sports event serves as a valuable opportunity to showcase a city's economic development, local customs, and future potential. This event has become a new and splendid window through which Dinghai presents itself as a port city to the world. For all participating athletes, the process of choosing routes and navigating directions not only brings unlimited joy but also allows them to appreciate the urban character and cultural heritage of Dinghai, a millennium-old island city. It provides a firsthand experience of the happiness portrayed by the ancient city, the islands, and the rural landscapes.