Gold Medals in the Garden: Olympic Judo and World Diving Stars Lead Rural Revitalization in Hainan

In the rural heart of Hainan, the definition of a “champion’s arena” shifted on Saturday, April 11, 2026. Instead of a tatami mat or a diving platform, the spotlight fell on the selenium-rich soil of Shatu Village in Qiaotou Town, Chengmai County. Here, the 14th Qiaotou Sweet Potato Culture Season kicked off not with a whistle or a buzzer, but with the rhythmic digging of earth and the cheers of thousands of visitors.

The event, titled “Culture Chengmai · Twelve Movements,” served as both the opening of the annual culture season and the launch of the Qiaotou Town All-for-one Tourism Promotion Year. In a striking blend of elite athletics and agricultural heritage, the festival welcomed two of China’s most decorated sports figures: Sydney Olympics judo champion Tang Lin and world diving champion Zhou Lyuxin.

Champions in the Field

The arrival of Tang Lin and Zhou Lyuxin brought a high-profile energy to the rural landscape. The two athletes didn’t just attend as ceremonial guests; they dove headfirst into the local experience, joining villagers and tourists in the act of digging sweet potatoes. The sight of an Olympic gold medalist and a world champion trading their sporting gear for farming tools provided a vivid image of “sports empowering rural revitalization.”

For the crowds gathered in Shatu Village, the presence of these champions served as a bridge between the discipline of elite sport and the hard work of agriculture. The athletes praised the local produce, with social media reports highlighting their enthusiasm for the “top-notch” quality of the Qiaotou sweet potatoes.

Beyond the fields, the champions participated in a series of cycling and hiking activities. Alongside more than 500 enthusiasts, Tang and Zhou navigated the pastoral scenery, emphasizing the connection between physical health and the natural environment. For many participants, the opportunity to experience the “exemplary power” of these athletes in such an informal setting was the highlight of the festivities.

A ‘Gold Mine’ in the Soil

While the celebrity appearances drew the crowds, the core of the event focused on the economic evolution of the Qiaotou sweet potato. The opening ceremony, staged against a backdrop of rural fields with the land serving as the natural auditorium, hosted over 200 dignitaries. Attendees included representatives from the Hainan Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Provincial Department of Tourism and Culture, and the Provincial Department of Commerce, as well as leadership from Chengmai and Lingao counties.

The strategic importance of the crop was highlighted by Wang Jiabao, a member of the party leadership group and deputy director of the Hainan Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Wang noted that the Qiaotou sweet potato has evolved from a simple “dirt clod” into a “golden clod.”

The product achieved National Geographical Indication (GI) protected status in 2018. According to Wang, it is the only agricultural brand in Hainan Province to be included in both the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs’ agricultural brand boutique cultivation plan and the national “local specialty” promotion list. This designation is more than a label; it is a certification of quality and origin that allows the region to compete on a national scale.

The province is currently leveraging the “Hainan Fresh Produce” regional public brand to scale the industry. The goal is to establish three primary pillars for the region:

• The largest sweet potato seed breeding base in the province.
• The largest sweet potato distribution and trading center in the province.
• The most comprehensive sweet potato industry chain system in the province.

Integrating Tourism and Agriculture

Lin Ruiwen, a member of the Chengmai County Standing Committee and Vice Mayor, emphasized that the region is leaning heavily into its natural selenium-rich resources. By amplifying the effect of the National Geographical Indication product, Chengmai is working to integrate agriculture, culture, and tourism—a strategy known as “agri-culture-tourism fusion.”

The scale of the event reflected this ambition. With over a thousand tourists and villagers attending the opening, the festival utilized the “Ring Island Tourism Road” to draw visitors from neighboring towns such as Lincheng, Dongying, and Bohou. The inclusion of network influencers and streamers ensured that the local “sweet appointment” reached a digital audience far beyond the borders of Hainan.

This approach transforms the sweet potato from a commodity into a destination. By pairing the harvest with athletic events like the cycling and hiking treks, the organizers have created a model where sports serve as a catalyst for rural tourism, bringing urban visitors into the countryside to support local farmers.

Key Event Details

As the culture season continues, the focus remains on the “cross-over” appeal of the event—where the prestige of Olympic gold meets the authenticity of the harvest. For the residents of Chengmai, the presence of Tang Lin and Zhou Lyuxin is a signal that their local industry has reached a level of recognition that rivals the highest stages of international sport.

The next phase of the promotion will focus on the expansion of the distribution center and the continued rollout of the “Hainan Fresh Produce” standards to ensure the long-term sustainability of the region’s agricultural growth.

Do you think integrating sports stars into agricultural festivals is an effective way to boost rural tourism? Share your thoughts in the comments below.