Distinguished figures such as Wang Jianguang, secretary-general of the China Education Development Foundation, Yao Ming, president of the Chinese Basketball Association, Sun Wen, vice-president of the Chinese Football Association, Wu Jian, director of the Institute of Sports, Health and Arts Education at the China National Institute of Education Sciences, and athlete Sun Bingtian were among notable attendees.

Xu said that the award ceremony also provides PE teachers a chance for on-site interaction with experts and scholars from the fields of education and sports, as well as outstanding athletes.

"That enables them to gain a deep understanding of progressive physical education concepts and practices," she said.

In October, some of the award-winners will be offered the opportunity to visit the United Kingdom to exchange insights with their British counterparts.

Wang Xiaozan, a professor at the school of physical education and health at East China Normal University, and also a judge for the awards, said that some of the PE teachers participating in the overseas exchange will demonstrate sport lessons that integrate Chinese cultural elements, such as sessions featuring activities like the lion dance.

Among this year's award-winners, Bi Yawu, a PE researcher from Kunming, Yunnan province, has integrated traditional cultural elements with PE by transforming the traditional activities practiced by various ethnic groups into PE sessions.

"I've observed that traditional ethnic games can effectively develop children's muscle strength, while refining gross and fine motor skills. Through creative adaptations of traditional games, we can stimulate children's enthusiasm to actively participate," said Wang.