BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Here are the latest Chinese sports headlines from the past week:
1. Chinese pop-culture icon Labubu features at World Cup opening ceremony
Amid the music, celebration and football fever that marked the opening of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 11, a familiar face from China attracted attention from fans around the world.
Labubu, the best-known character from Pop Mart's The Monsters franchise, appeared at the tournament's opening ceremony as a special guest, becoming the first Chinese original intellectual property to participate in a FIFA World Cup opening celebration.
Wearing football jerseys, two Labubu characters joined the festivities and shared the excitement of football's biggest event with spectators from around the globe.
Recognizable by its nine teeth and upright pointed ears, Labubu is a key member of The Monsters, a group of elf-like creatures. Since its creation in 2015, the character has evolved from a designer toy into one of China's most recognizable cultural brands worldwide.
2. China held to goalless draw by Thailand in home friendly
China's men's national football team played out a 0-0 draw with Thailand in an international friendly on June 9 in Jinhua, east China's Zhejiang Province.
Watched by more than 32,000 spectators, the match marked head coach Shao Jiayi's first home game in charge.
China finished with 66 percent possession, 24 shots, six on target and 11 corners, but failed to convert its chances. Thailand managed just three shots, none on target, and earned only one corner throughout the match.
The draw leaves Shao with a record of two wins, one draw and one defeat from his first four matches in charge.
3. China rallies past Poland for third straight win at women's VNL
Host China rallied from a set down to beat Poland 3-1 on June 7, securing its third consecutive victory at the 2026 FIVB Women's Volleyball Nations League (VNL).
After dropping the opening set 25-16, China bounced back to take the next three sets 25-18, 25-23 and 26-24, finishing the Nanjing leg with a 3-1 record.
Zhuang Yushan led the host with 24 points, while Tang Xin and Li Chenxuan each contributed 11. Guo Zhongnan added 10 points and Wang Aoqian chipped in with nine.
4. China's Yan claims second 2026 Diamond League javelin title
China's Yan Ziyi continued her impressive rise in women's javelin by winning the event at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Oslo on June 10, marking her second Diamond League title of the season.
Yan, 18, secured victory with a first-round effort of 67.11 meters, a mark that proved untouchable throughout the competition. Yan finished nearly six meters ahead of Norway's Sigrid Borge, who placed second with 61.92m on home soil, while Serbia's world No. 1 Adriana Vilagos took third with 61.33m.
At the Xiamen meeting, Yan produced a throw of 71.74 meters to set a new Asian record. The mark currently ranks second on the all-time women's javelin list.
5. Chinese top seeds through to mixed doubles semifinals at Australian Badminton Open
The top-seeded Chinese pairings of Feng Yanzhe/Huang Dongping and Guo Xinwa/Chen Fanghui advanced to the mixed doubles semifinals at the Australian Badminton Open after winning their quarterfinals on June 12.
China will also have two teams in the men's doubles semifinals, with second seeds Liang Weikeng/Wang Chang and fourth seeds Chen Boyang/Liu Yi to face off.
Top seeds Jia Yifan/Zhang Shuxian reached the women's doubles semifinals, while Dong Tianyao was also through to the last four in the men's singles. ■
