Elite marathon swimmers became the biggest cheerleaders for the stunning Judiaosha Beach, dubbed as "Glass Sea," in Dapeng New District during the 15th National Games on Nov. 6, heaping praise on the crystal-clear waters that provided a breathtaking backdrop for their race.

Winners of the marathon swimmers for the 15th National Games pose for a photo Nov. 6 Photos by Liu Xudong

　　The men's 10km marathon swimming event, the first in National Games history to be held in open-sea conditions, concluded successfully on Nov. 6. Zhang Ziyang of the Hubei team successfully defended his title with a time of 1:59:55.3. The silver and bronze medals were claimed by Liu Peixin from Shandong Province and Lan Tianchen from Fujian Province, respectively.

Marathon swimmers compete in the waters off Judiaosha Beach. 

　　Far from being just a competitive arena, the pristine waters of Judiaosha offered athletes an unforgettable experience, with many spontaneously becoming ambassadors for the city's ecological beauty and professional organization.

　　"It was absolutely stunning! This wasn't just a race; it felt like a vacation," exclaimed gold medalist Zhang Ziyang. "The visibility underwater was incredible. The water was so clear I could see the fine sand on the seabed. With the sunlight sparkling on the waves, the 'Glass Sea' truly lives up to its name. Competing in such an environment was so enjoyable that it even lessened the fatigue. This was truly a unique experience."

Zhang Ziyang celebrates his victory in the men's 10km marathon swim.

　　Liu Peixin, the silver medalist, also commended the conditions. "We heard about the excellent sea environment in Shenzhen before the race, but the reality far exceeded our expectations," Liu said. "The water was clean and pure, making for a very pleasant swim. The organization was also flawless, allowing us to focus entirely on the race."

　　For bronze winner Lan Tianchen, the setting made his first National Games a memorable one. "This was my first time competing in the sea at this level, and Shenzhen gave me a perfect inaugural experience," Lan said. "The water was as blue as a gemstone, and looking up to see the beautiful coastline transformed the intense race into a real pleasure."

Gold medalist Zhang Ziyang with his coach.

　　From its ecological splendor to its meticulous service, Shenzhen used this innovative event to help athletes understand the sentiment of "loving a city because of a race."

　　As Zhang Ziyang put it, "Shenzhen's beauty isn't just on the surface; it's in the relentless pursuit of perfection in every detail. I hope to have more opportunities to compete here and would recommend everyone to come and experience the charm of this 'Glass Sea' for themselves.”

Spectators capture the action with their cameras during the race.