The Jinhua women's dragon boat team participates in the 17th IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing Championships in Germany. [Photo/Tide News]

The women's dragon boat team from Jinhua in East China's Zhejiang province achieved a historic victory in the senior A division's 2,000m race at the 17th IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing Championships on July 16.

The 12-member crew clocked in at 10 min 29.703 sec, marking Zhejiang's fastest at the championships.

The championships attracted nearly 4,500 athletes from 33 countries and regions. In the competition, the Jinhua squad overcame elite rivals, including teams from the United States, Germany, Britain, and France, before ultimately claiming gold.

"This is an exceptionally valuable medal," said Weng Shiwen, team manager of the Jinhua women's dragon boat team. "Despite jet lag upon arrival, our athletes competed immediately and tackled back-to-back long-distance races over two days." The day before, Jinhua partnered with the Guangdong Baiyun men's team to finish fourth in the mixed 2,000m event.

Organized biennially by the International Dragon Boat Federation, this premier competition categorizes participants into premier, youth, and senior divisions. Representing China among its 16 squads, the Jinhua team consists of 18 members competing across seven events — three veteran races and four mixed contests with the Guangdong men's team.