1st world drone sports meeting kicks off in southwest China's Chengdu
An international drone sports meeting kicked off on Saturday in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, with global drone pilots engaging in an "aerial showdown" that combines technology and competitive sports.
This sports meeting, officially known as the first World Drone Games, was co-hosted by the China Communication Industry Association and the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China. It has brought together 443 teams from around the world to compete in events including drone weightlifting, fencing and basketball.
According to the organizers, the first World Drone Games is being held in phases. Following the opening round on Saturday, subsequent sessions will be held on April 18 and April 25.
The drone basketball event is one of the highlights of the Games. Competing drones zipped through the air with agility and made precise shots into the basket, drawing cheers and applause from spectators.
Under the competition rules, a spherical drone must not only hit the basket accurately but also land steadily on a designated scoring spot for the points to count -- a true test of the pilots' precision control.
"I think the key to this competition is mastering precise control -- for example, getting the ball to stop at a designated spot. That's something I need to practice more," said Cai Hongming, a contestant.
Drone fencing and other featured events are equally impressive. Amid the buzzing of engines, various types of drones take to the sky, executing high-difficulty maneuvers under the pilots' control -- turning technical competition into a highly entertaining aerial spectacle that draws large crowds of spectators.
