Anwar Kurban (R) and his teammates compete during the 2026 dragon boat race on Hongyan River in Korla City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 20, 2026. The 2026 dragon boat race was held on the Hongyan River in Korla on Saturday. During the final sprint, the boat of Halayugong Town team capsized suddenly when it hit strong currents, and all team members fell into the water.
Captain Anwar Kurban stayed calm and quickly gathered all his teammates. Even though they were exhausted, they managed to right the overturned boat and paddled hard together to cross the finish line. They didn't win a prize, but they earned the highest respect from the audience.
This united and hard-working dragon boat team was built over five years. Back in 2021, Anwar, then a village group leader, started the team. He faced many difficulties: lack of members, poor skills, and little experience. Anwar learned dragon boat skills online, trained regularly with his teammates, and took part in many races to improve teamwork.
Thanks to his efforts, more and more villagers are now taking up dragon boat sports. (Photo by Ai Houwei/Xinhua)
Anwar Kurban (R) celebrates after finishing the 2026 dragon boat race on Hongyan River in Korla City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 20, 2026. (Photo by Ai Houwei/Xinhua)
Anwar Kurban (L top) and his teammates compete during a trial match of the 2026 dragon boat race on Hongyan River in Korla City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 19, 2026. (Photo by Ai Houwei/Xinhua)
Anwar Kurban (L top) and his teammates compete during a trial match of the 2026 dragon boat race on Hongyan River in Korla City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 19, 2026. (Photo by Ai Houwei/Xinhua)
Anwar Kurban (top) instructs a teammate on dragon boat paddling movements in Korla City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)
Anwar Kurban (R) instructs his teammates on dragon boat paddling movements in Korla City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 15, 2026. (Photo by Ai Houwei/Xinhua)
Anwar Kurban (1st R) and his teammates train in dragon boat paddling in Korla City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)
Anwar Kurban (R front) and his teammates compete during the 2026 dragon boat race on Hongyan River in Korla City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 20, 2026. (Photo by Ai Houwei/Xinhua)
Anwar Kurban (top) instructs his teammates on dragon boat paddling movements in Korla City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)
Anwar Kurban (L) instructs his teammates on dragon boat paddling movements in his spare time in Korla City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)
Anwar Kurban (1st L) and his teammates train in dragon boat paddling in Korla City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)
