"However, I enjoyed overcoming challenges through teamwork, which shows integrity in the sport," he added.

Shanghai has a history of organizing rowing contests dating back to 1853 when overseas Chinese rowing enthusiasts participated in the first rowing competition recorded in China. A decade after that, the Shanghai Rowing Association was founded alongside of the Suzhou Creek in 1863, facilitating the development of the sport in the country and in 1956, the first batch of some 20 rowers in China were trained in the city, where at the same year the Shanghai Water Sports Stadium was set up.

Nearly 10 rowing clubs have been established in Shanghai, data shows.

"We hope the sport can be popularized among the citizens through the regatta and drive the development of the industry chain covering youth training, rowing equipment manufacturing and sports event management," said Zhou Jin, manager of Shanghai Donghao Lansheng Event Management, the event's organizer.