Shanghai to host 2026 International Jump Rope Elite Championships

"The core of promoting jump rope is not just to train a handful of world champions. We want it to serve Shanghai residents of all ages, from schoolchildren and overweight teenagers to middle-aged community members," said Wang Zhengyuan, deputy mayor of Gaojing Town. "We hope this simple rope will connect everyone's passion for movement."

Gaojing is the world's first IJRU-accredited "Everybody Jumps" model town. It has developed the sport since the 1990s, producing over 10 world champions. Its signature Gaojing freestyle rope skipping is inscribed on the Baoshan district intangible cultural heritage list.

An intangible cultural heritage carnival will run alongside the competition, featuring crafts, performances, food stalls and interactive rope-skipping experiences.

"We use the competition as a medium, intangible cultural heritage as a bridge, and champions as ambassadors to bring Chinese rope skipping culture to the world," said Xie Changlei, president of Shanghai Yuedong Cultural Technology Co Ltd.

Ma Tan contributed to this story.