A total of 22,000 native runners take part in the 2020 Beverly Wuxi Marathon on Nov 1. [Photo/wxrb.com]
Wuxi's sports industry has developed rapidly during the 13th Five-Year-Plan (2016-20) period, as the city has hosted a series of high-quality international sports events, local media reported on Dec 15.
Hosting sports events is part of the city's strategy to become more international. Officials said that the promotion of the city through events, especially sporting events, has been effective over the past five years.
The Wuxi International Marathon, entering its 8th year, has become one of the most popular international marathons in China due to its helpful services, attention to detail, strong security, professional track design, and beautiful scenery, which includes glistening lakes and vibrant mountains.
In 2016, the marathon was live broadcast in over 100 countries and regions worldwide in cooperation with French media group Lagardere Active.
China women's table tennis team holds up the trophy at the award ceremony for the team finals of 2017 Asian Table Tennis Championships. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]
Wuxi also attracted significant attention from global table tennis fans in April 2017 when it hosted the 23rd ITTF-Asian Table Tennis Championships, the most highly-regarded table tennis event in Asia.
A total of 247 athletes from 29 countries and regions competed in the eight-day competition. Many participants and organizers praised Wuxi for how it organized the event, stadium facilities and urban environment.
The 2018 World Fencing Championships were held in Wuxi from July 19 to 27, which brought together the world's top epee, foil, and saber fencers to compete in 12 individual and team events.
In November 2015, Wuxi beat the Japanese city of Fukuoka 69 to 47, becoming the first city in China to hold the fencing event.
Wang Haibin, chairman of the China Fencing Association, praised how Wuxi handled the event and noted that "It will further increase fencing's popularity in China, infusing new vitality into Wuxi's sports industry as well as the city's development."
Ding Junhui lines up a shot during the final of the 2017 Snooker World Cup in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, on July 9, 2017. [Photo/IC]
In April 2019, Wuxi signed on to host the snooker World Cup every two years for the next ten years. Hangzhou-based beverage giant Nongfu Spring also agreed to spend more than 3 million yuan ($457,827) to buy the naming rights for the event.
Wuxi has also become a world leader in promoting the development of taekwondo. The city has hosted over 20 taekwondo events since November 2017, attracting about 100,000 spectators in total.
In July 2018, the World Taekwondo Wuxi Centre was established in order to support education and development programs for taekwondo. Wuxi was also chosen as the host of the 2021 World Taekwondo Championships and the World Para Taekwondo Championships.
