WATCH: China’s Mermaid Open in a giant aquarium sets path for a new Asian competition

Within three years of a one-off activity in pursuit of a Guinness World Record at the Atlantis Sanya resort on the island province of Hainan, China’s mermaid fascination has evolved into a continental competition, comprising over 70 athletes from 10 nations, including South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.

The competitions are conducted inside the gigantic aquarium, the Ambassador Lagoon, within the Atlantis resort which measures up to five Olympic-sized swimming pools.

For those unconvinced by the literal depth of the sport, the China Mermaid Open has progressively flourished over 10 open tournaments under the authority of the Water Sports Administration Center of the General Administration of Sport of China. The body has established “a robust mermaid competition system in China that has gained prominence internationally”, according to China Daily.

🧜The 2024 China Mermaid Open Grand Final and the inaugural Asia Cup officially begin on Thursday at Atlantis Sanya in Hainan, marking an exciting day of competition.

Chinese athletes have emerged as the shining stars, showcasing their prowess in the individual and team events. pic.twitter.com/G7jc2akrjg

— CGTN Sports Scene (@CGTNSportsScene) December 13, 2024

On April 28, 2021, 100 mermaids took to the waters in the Atlantis Aquarium to break the Guinness World Record for the largest underwater mermaid show, coinciding with celebrations of the resort’s third anniversary.

Mermaid diving

“Freediving beginners usually wear bi-fins, which enable both legs to alternately move, but a mermaid tail ties both legs together so they can’t move freely,” Dada Li, one of China’s leading mermaid divers said as she explained mermaid diving to CNN Travel.

“Instead, we need to use our belly and waist to move like a dolphin. It requires practice to make this movement smooth and elegant like a real mermaid.”

Li, who has also acted as China’s ambassador to the global diving organisation PADI, was instrumental in the growth of professional mermaid diving in China. According to CNN, Li established a professional mermaid diving team for aquarium and water-related events in 2015.