Young athletes compete in a balloon volleyball match at the Dushanzi Sports Center in Karamay, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on April 15. [Photo/kelamayi.com.cn]

The 2017 Mayitake Hotel Cup for balloon volleyball was held at the Dushanzi Sports Center in Karamay, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on April 15.

Over 200 balloon volleyball athletes from 28 Xinjiang teams participated in the competition which also served as a preparatory tryout for the 13th National Games.

Balloon volleyball is one of the 19 mass events in this year’s National Games. Originally a pass time for retirees, the sport has gained mass popularity and will be included for the first time in the National Games held in Tianjin this September.

The balloon volleyball is made from soft material and has a strong bounce. It is big, but lightweight. Two teams of four players compete against each other. Team divisions are classified by age and gender, with male and female youth teams and adult teams.

Representing Karamay, three teams–the Karamay Dushanzi Representative Team, Tao Li Yuan Hotel Team and Mayitake Hotel Team–took part in the matches. The Dushanzi Representative Team finished first among the male youth division. The Tao Li Yuan Hotel Team ranked second among the male youth division, while the Mayitake Hotel Team finished first among the adult female division.