Taiji Rouliqiu performance at the opening ceremony. [Photo by Miao Xiaojian]

The 23rd Zhongshan Senior Games opened at the city gymnasium on the morning of November 12.

With the theme "Health in Senior, Vitality in Zhongshan", this year's competition is comprised of 10 events, including Taiji Rouliqiu, aerobics, Yangko (a popular rural folk dance), Taijiquan (sword), sports dance, table tennis, billiards, Chinese chess and basketball shooting. The games have attracted 839 athletes from 30 delegations of various towns and units in Zhongshan.

The games will continue from now through November 23. Male athletes aged 60 to 70 and female athletes aged 55 to 70 who meet the physical health conditions may be enrolled.

The first Zhongshan Senior Games were held in 1986. Since then, the games have now been held for 23 consecutive sessions, and they are becoming one of the large-scale mass sports events for the elderly. They boast the largest number of sessions, longest duration, largest number of participants, and greatest impact in the province as a whole. It is now a significant part and brand event for the elderly in Zhongshan.