Snowball fighting was already hinted at in rock paintings from thousands of years ago in Xinjiang. Since the snowball fight became a competitive sport in 1989, it has become the only snow-based team sport internationally since 2013.
Since the onset of winter
in the snow-covered campus of Harbin Institute of Technology
exciting snowball fight competitions have been continuously held.
Reporters observed that on a rectangular field measuring 36 meters long and 10 meters wide, there are fortifications, home bases, and team flags. Each team consists of 4 forwards, 3 defenders, and 2 substitutes, all wearing helmets and numbered uniforms, ready for action. The forwards find cover to look for opportunities to attack, while the defenders take a stance to wait for defense, and the substitutes are also prepared, eager to try.
AI Robots for “Ammunition Transport” and “Snowball Supply”
The AI robots that walked in not far away became one of the highlights of the competition, providing “ammunition transport” and “snowball supply”. The innovation and breakthroughs of Harbin Institute of Technology people have wonderfully integrated artificial intelligence with snow and ice, making this professional snowball fight competition a source of applause from the crowd.
It is reported that the Harbin Institute of Technology snowball fight competition has been successfully held three times, divided into three tracks: “Deer Hunting in the Central Plains”, “Hundred Regiments Battle”, and “Heroes Compete for Supremacy”. Participants initiate attacks by throwing snowballs, and those hit by snowballs are eliminated. Victory can be achieved by pulling the opponent’s flag within three minutes, eliminating all opponents, or having more players than the opponent.
With the sound of a whistle, team members picked up the snowballs in their hands to attack, jumping, dodging, and sprinting, making the competition extremely intense. Students traversed through a hail of snowballs, maneuvered around barriers, charged into enemy lines, and seized the enemy’s team flag, ultimately achieving victory!
“The essence of snowball fighting is ‘protect yourself, hit your opponent!'” said the captain of the “Drink More Hot Water Team” in the “Heroes Compete for Supremacy” track. Snowball fighting requires participants to have high levels of strength, speed, coordination, reaction ability, and agility.
“Snow” is the medium of the competition. Team members are on the snowfield, stepping on the snow, holding snowballs, and before the competition, they need to make and prepare snowballs. In this process, snow takes on a unique significance in the hands of the team members, becoming the key to victory. The passing and attacking of snowballs during the competition become the bond of the entire sport.
“Unity” is the characteristic of the competition. “Unity” means cooperation. As a snow-based team sport, the entire team needs to discuss practical tactics and determine specific and effective strategies. Some are responsible for initiating charges and attacks, while others are responsible for passing snowballs, covering teammates, and protecting the team flag, which tests the entire team’s sense of cooperation.
“Battle” is the spirit of the competition. The entire competition is a battlefield, where team members use fortifications and cover to evade, attack with snowballs, and hitting an opponent results in their “sacrifice”. Participants race across the snowy field, occupying the enemy’s camp, which tests their evasion, reconnaissance, adaptability, and short-distance explosive capabilities. Charging forward has become a symbolic spirit of snowball fighting.
Reporter: Zhao Yinuo
Editor: Li Hang
Editor-in-Chief: Yang Ye
Reviewed by: Jiang MingCoordinated by: Wang Wei
