STORY: Humanoid robots on Sunday (August 23) took over the athletic arena at the World Robot Games, competing in sparring, sprinting, and taichi.

The five-day World Humanoid Robot Games, which began in Beijing on Saturday (August 22), combine events modelled on human sports with challenges designed to test the robots in simulated real-world settings, including factories, restaurants, offices and emergency response scenarios.

“I thought we performed well in the match we just played, but I didn't expect it to overheat in the final five seconds,” said university student Cui Yongliang, who operated a Unitree humanoid robot in the 80-kg class kickboxing competition.

The games, heavily promoted in Chinese state media, feature 51 events, including 30 sports competitions and 21 scenario-based contests.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: BEIJING, CHINA (AUGUST 23, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. HUMANOID ROBOTS COMPETING IN 80KG CLASS KICKBOXING / ROBOT LOSING BALANCE AND FALLING ONTO RING ROPES

2. TEAM MOVING HUMANOID ROBOT BACK INTO RING

3. HUMANOID ROBOT STANDING UP

4. VARIOUS OF COMPETITORS OPERATING ROBOTS WITH REMOTE CONTROLLER

5. HUMANOID ROBOTS COMPETING

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) COMPETITOR WHO OPERATES HUMANOID ROBOTS TO COMPETE IN 80 KG CLASS KICKBOXING, CUI YONGLIANG, SAYING:

“I spent quite a long time preparing before taking the stage and I felt incredibly excited when I walked in. Yet, once (the robot) actually stepped onto the stage, I found myself in a state of deep calm. I had to constantly assess the robot's next move and gauge the distance.”

7. VARIOUS OF HUMANOID ROBOTS COMPETING

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) COMPETITOR WHO OPERATES HUMANOID ROBOTS TO COMPETE IN 80 KG CLASS KICKBOXING, CUI YONGLIANG, SAYING:

“I think Unitree's robots are already outstanding in terms of their movements and hardware. I just hope they don't overheat so easily. I thought we performed well in the match we just played, but I didn't expect it to overheat in the final five seconds.”

9. VARIOUS OF HUMANOID ROBOTS BY UNITREE COMPETING

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) COMPETITOR WHO OPERATES HUMANOID ROBOTS TO COMPETE IN 80 KG CLASS KICKBOXING, NIE JINGXUAN, SAYING:

“The expectation is to score more points, which is a very realistic view. Secondly, I hope our robots can carry athletic power and passion to the audience, bring them passion and joy.”

11. VARIOUS OF LARGE HUMANOID ROBOTS COMPETING IN 400 METRE RACE

12. AUDIENCE LOOKING ON

13. VARIOUS OF LARGE HUMANOID ROBOTS COMPETING IN 400 METRE RACE

14. VARIOUS OF SMALL SIZE HUMANOID ROBOTS COMPETING IN 400 METRE RACE

15. VARIOUS OF HUMANOID ROBOTS COMPETING IN BLOCK STACKING

16. VARIOUS OF HUMANOID ROBOTS COMPETING IN TAICHI