TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) presided over the opening ceremony of the 2024 Taipei International Dragon Boat Championships on Saturday (June 8).

He led a city government team in a race against the Taiwan Black Dragons, a team that included visually impaired members. Chiang’s boat narrowly lost, though he pledged to return next year. 

Before the race, Chiang told local media he did not have much time to practice with the team due to his duties as mayor. His first practice was only a few days ago with other bureau heads. 

Chiang said Taipei is hosting Taiwan's largest dragon boat competition, with 212 teams, including domestic and foreign participants from Australia, the Netherlands, Japan, Shanghai, and other places.

According to a Taipei City government press release, this year’s total prize money reached a record high of NT$3.33 million (US$103,000). The two-day competition also attracted spectators including families who came to watch the annual spectacle.

Chiang said dragon boat races have become a popular sporting event. For example, the sport will be featured in the World Youth Games co-organized by Taipei City and New Taipei City in 2025.