Organised by the Sports Bureau, SJM Resorts, S.A. and the Dragon Boat Association of Macao, China, and co-organised by the Municipal Affairs Bureau and the Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau, the 2023 SJM Macao International Dragon Boat Races staged both the Open Category and Women’s Category of the Standard Dragon Boat Race today (18 June). After several rounds of intense races, the Fire Services Bureau and the Association of Macao Youth Development won the Open Category and the Women’s Category, respectively.

The second day of the 2023 SJM Macao International Dragon Boat Races featured fierce races among a total of 32 teams in the Open Category. After several rounds of races, six teams from the Open Category entered the Grand Final, including Wynn, DC Systems Digital Communications Ltd., the Fire Services Bureau, SJM Golden Jubilee, SJM Prosperous and Melco. Of the teams, the favourites Fire Services Bureau secured the championship with a time of 1:52.912, after winning the Macao Small Dragon Boat Race Open Category the day before. DC Systems Digital Communications Ltd. and SJM Golden Jubilee came in second and third, respectively, followed by SJM Prosperous, Wynn and Melco. The 7^th to 12^th places went to Team Mugen, MGM, “Yunongfan” Youth Team, Sands China, Galaxy Stars and Iao Lok, respectively.

In the Women’s Category, the defending champions Association of Macao Youth Development remained invincible and secured their second championship this year in the Standard Dragon Boat Race, after winning their first in the Small Dragon Boat Race. The champions reached the finish line with a time of 2:10.250 ahead of MGM and Wynn, which came second and third, respectively. The 4^th to 6^th places went to SJM Golden Lotus, Galaxy Pearl and Sands China, respectively.

Officiating guests at the prize ceremony included Pun Weng Kun, President of the Sports Bureau; Angela Leong, Director of SJM Resorts, S.A.; Lai Pak Leng, Chairman of the Dragon Boat Association of Macao, China; Lei Cheng I and Leong Sun Iok, members of the Legislative Assembly; Lam Sio Un, member of the Administration Committee on Municipal Affairs of the Municipal Affairs Bureau; Chan Weng Kit de Noronha, Chio Man Tou, Au Ieong Sin Ieng and Lok Nam Tak, members of the Sports Committee.

The Macao International Invitation Standard Dragon Boat Race Open and Women’s categories (500m) and the Macao University Student Invitation Standard Dragon Boat Race (500m) will be held on the day of Duanwu Festival (22 June).  Elite teams from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Australia, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines will compete with local teams for the championship.

Performances by cultural and artistic groups are on offer during this year’s event to create a festive carnival atmosphere. In addition, a themed photo area and various types of sales booths are set up on site. Residents and tourists are welcome to come and watch the dragon boat races, experience the festive atmosphere, and jointly create a unique brand of sports tourism in Macao.

The Races will be broadcasted live on TV channels including TDM Ou Mun, TDM Sport and Ou Mun-Macau (with Cantonese and Portuguese commentaries), on the event’s official website www.macaodragonboat.com and on “Macao Major Sporting Events” Facebook page.

For more information, please visit the official website, or follow the “Macao Major Sporting Events” Facebook page, “澳門體育”(Macao Sports) WeChat public account and “澳門特區體育局” (Macao SAR Sports Bureau) WeChat subscription account.