On 30 March, the torch relay for the 6th Asian Beach Games Sanya 2026 (Sanya 2026) was held in Sanya.

Under the theme “Relaying Friendship, Meeting in Sanya,” the relay featured three main parts: the torch lighting ceremony, the starting ceremony, and the flame return ceremony. A total of 74 torchbearers carried the flame about 10.5 kilometres along the Sanya Bay coastline, igniting a lively pre-Games celebration that combined natural scenery, urban energy, and sporting enthusiasm.

The torch relay for Sanya 2026 takes place in Sanya on 30 March. Pictured is the flag-raising ceremony and welcoming the Olympic Council of Asia flag.

Song Luzeng, Vice President and Chair of the Sports Committee of the Olympic Council of Asia, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony

Chang Yani, champion of the women’s synchronised 3m springboard at the Paris Olympics, was the first torchbearer. Running with the torch on the beach for the first time left a lasting impression on her.

“Having the vast sea right beside me made the experience truly unique,” she said. “Being the first torchbearer is both an honour and a responsibility.” 

Chang Yani serves as the first torchbearer of the Sanya 2026 torch relay

Chang Yani serves as the first torchbearer of the Sanya 2026 torch relay

The relay route was designed to include beach, road, and sea segments. It passed through multiple competition venues, such as the Sanya Bay Haihong Square Venue and the Sanya Bay Photography Base Venue, providing a broad display of Sanya’s unique coastal scenery.

The relay began near the Sanya General Aviation Heliport, with torchbearers running roughly 4.2 kilometres along the beach of the Coconut Dream Corridor. At Haiyue Square, two-time Olympic weightlifting champion Shi Zhiyong took the torch, marking the shift to a about 3.8-kilometre road segment that connected scenes of everyday city life, coastal leisure, and the marine economy.

Then, Liu Shiwen, the Olympic champion in women’s team table tennis at the Rio Games, carried the torch by yacht from Phoenix Island Yacht Marina to the Sanya International Yacht Center. The journey covered about 2.5 kilometres, highlighting the distinctive allure of “Maritime Sanya” against the backdrop of the blue sea.

Jiang Ranxin, the Olympic shooting champion from the Tokyo Games, carried the torch to Luhuitou Scenic Area, where the flame return ceremony was held. 

The torch relay for Sanya 2026 is held in Sanya on 30 March 

Qi Guangpu, champion of freestyle skiing aerials at the Beijing Winter Olympics, served as the 74th torchbearer

“It is a great honor and privilege to be the final torchbearer,” Qi said. “This final leg carries trust and responsibility.” He wished for a successful Sanya 2026 and hoped that athletes from across Asia would seize the chance to explore the city’s unique charm during their down time.

To enhance the festive atmosphere, four themed performance zones were set up along the relay route. The event included exciting water sports displays—jet ski stunts, flyboarding, freestyle kayaking, and wake surfing. It also featured local cultural acts such as Li brocade fashion shows, bamboo dancing, classic Qiong Opera, and Yazhou folk music. At the Sanya International Yacht Center, robotic lion dance and drumming performances combined technology with tradition, bringing an innovative touch to the event.

The starting ceremony of the torch relay for Sanya 2026 is held in Sanya on 30 March

The starting ceremony of the torch relay for Sanya 2026 is held in Sanya on 30 March

“Through the torch relay, we aim to showcase Sanya's natural beauty, cultural richness, and lively energy to the world," said Cao Shoubin, Operations Director of the torch relay team. "Driven by the principles of a green, shared, open, and clean Games, the relay has spread the passion of the Games across Sanya Bay's azure waters and silver beaches, fueling excitement throughout the city.”

The flame return ceremony of the torch relay for Sanya 2026 is held at Luhuitou Scenic Area on 30 March

The flame return ceremony of the torch relay for Sanya 2026 is held at Luhuitou Scenic Area on 30 March

Sanya 2026 is set to run from 22 to 30 April. As Asia's premier multi-sport beach competition event, it is the first major international sporting competition in Hainan after the launch of island-wide special customs operations of the Hainan Free Trade Port. The Games will feature 14 sports, 15 disciplines, and 62 events, totalling 62 gold medals.