#China #Hangzhou #Tsinghua University #ANTA Group #Sportswear Design

The 3rd Global Sportswear Design Award: A Platform for Innovation

On June 14, 2025, the 3rd Global Sportswear Design Award was officially held at the Chinese National Silk Museum in Hangzhou. This event was jointly organized by the ANTA Group and Tsinghua University, showcasing the theme "MovEmpower – Motion Beyond Limits." The aim of this prestigious competition is to bring together global innovative resources under a cooperative framework that bridges industry, academia, and research.

Notable attendees included Lai Shixian, the Managing Director, and Co-CEO of ANTA Group, and Lu Xiaobo, the Director of the Tsinghua University Art Museum and a senior professor in the humanities. The launch event also saw the unveiling of a report titled "Design Innovation Trends in the Sports Fashion Industry," published by the Tsinghua University – ANTA (China) Co., Ltd. Joint Research Center for Sports Fashion. This report outlines strategic guidelines aimed at promoting technological transformation within the global sportswear sector.

A Benchmark for Cooperation

The collaboration between ANTA Group and Tsinghua University reflects a pioneering model of "multidisciplinary synergy," which is increasingly recognized in the Chinese sportswear industry. This partnership serves as a dynamic platform where idea generation, talent discovery, and industrial transformation converge. As Lai Shixian stated, "Innovation is essential for our growth. We are committed to transitioning from 'Made in China' to 'Created in China,' empowering Chinese brands on the global stage."

Lu Xiaobo added that "innovative design drives sports culture and significantly contributes to our nation's cultural soft power." The previous two editions of this competition attracted over 4,000 submissions from more than 270 universities across 30 countries and regions. It has established itself as one of the most influential incubators for sportswear design globally.

Expanding Global Reach for 2025 Edition

The 2025 edition promises to be broader in scope and scale, featuring competition tracks in four key areas: Technology, Culture, Nature, and AIGC (AI-Generated Content). In the upcoming year, seven university roadshows are expected to take place, inviting students, independent designers, and design enthusiasts from over 25 countries and regions to participate. More than 2,500 submissions are anticipated for this edition, with prizes totaling several million RMB up for grabs.

The jury will consist of over 100 experts from various fields, including academia and industry. The competition aims to consolidate innovative resources and contribute to the sustainable development of the sports fashion industry through a robust mechanism that includes a call for applications, expert evaluations, and industrial transformation.

Nurturing Global Design Talent

ANTAs talent development model, cultivated through this competition, is already reaping rewards. Several top finalists from previous rounds have joined ANTA's cross-brand design teams. The company continues to build an international platform that supports young designers and accelerates advancements in sportswear design.

Looking ahead, ANTA is committed to the principle that “innovation drives the future,” leveraging its global open innovation ecosystem and an integrated matrix of science and industry to infuse the sector with technological vitality and aesthetic inspiration.

With the competition running from June 2025 to March 2026, worldwide roadshows and submission phases will unfold. For more information, please visit the official website here or follow the Tsinghua University–ANTA Joint Research Center for Sports Fashion on WeChat.