The King's Cup is an annual event held between the three King's Schools in China; Chengdu, Hangzhou and Wuxi. Last weekend saw the 3rd event hosted on NKCS campus which involved a weekend full of Sports competitions and collaborative performing arts.

Boys Basketball

The opening game between Chengdu and Wuxi replicated the suspense of last year's "one-point difference". The Wuxi boys reshaped its tactics with a "growth mindset" and seized key scoring opportunities amidst the chaotic battle situation. The team demonstrated "collaborative leadership": they maintained a solid defense, rapid ball movement, precise inside scoring, and some outstanding long-range shots throughout the game. Eventually, they were crowned basketball champions.

Wuxi    Chengdu    Hangzhou

Wuxi Team: Andy P、Carl 、Charles 、David Lu, Drake W、Eric Z、Justin C、Justin S、Mylo P、Simon C、Sivan P

Girls Basketball

The Wuxi team first played against the Chengdu team. With a solid defense, smooth ball movement, and efficient scoring, they took a substantial lead. In the second game against the Hangzhou team, the situation was much the same, and the girls once again won the game by a large margin.

Wuxi    Chengdu    Hangzhou

Wuxi Team: Cindy T、Cindy X、Elsa Z、Eva W、 Helen C、Julie Y、Macy M、Taylor W、Tracy Z、Ziyi H

Boys Volleyball

The three-set showdown between Wuxi and Chengdu exemplified the true meaning of "tenacity": The thrilling victory by scoring two consecutive points after it was tied at 15 in the decisive set demonstrated the players' remarkable ability to withstand pressure. In the second game, they narrowly defeated Hangzhou and clinched the championship with a clean sweep.

Wuxi    Hangzhou    Chengdu

Wuxi Team: Charlis Q、Devin J、Eric Z、Jaydon L、 Lance W、Leon Y、Matthew Z、Oscar L、Peter Q、 Richard X、Will H、Zero S

Girls Volleyball

Facing the Chengdu team that had made remarkable progress, the Wuxi girls' volleyball team secured victory with a combination of "the composure of veteran players and the vigor of new talents". In the second game, they rotated the lineup to train the new players, giving some newly joined young members more opportunities to play and accumulate experience for the future. Despite the close score, the girls seemed more relaxed and in control of the game rhythm in the second match, and eventually they were crowned champions.

Wuxi    Chengdu    Hangzhou

Wuxi Team: Alita L、Annie X、Ariah A、Constance H、Erin G、Helen C、Icey W、Iman S、Julie H、Mia M、Shoan-Hullee C、Tracy Z、Ziyi H

Mixed Volleyball

Saturday night saw the newly introduced mixed volleyball competition. The rules state that there must always be 3 girls and 3 boys on the court. This changes the dynamic of the games, and it was nice to see all teams collaborate so well.

Wuxi started against Chengdu in what was once again a very close game. Both teams adapted well to new tactics, and new net height for the girls, and played some lovely volleyball.

Wuxi    Chengdu    Hangzhou

Wuxi Team: Charlis Q、Devin J、Eric Z、Jaydon L、 Lance W、Leon Y、Matthew Z、Oscar L、Peter Q、 Richard X、Will H、Zero S、Alita L、Annie X、Ariah A、Constance H、Erin G、Helen C、Icey W、Iman S、Julie H、Mia M、Shoan-Hullee C、Tracy Z、Ziyi H

Football

The Wuxi team first played against the strong and well-organized Chengdu team. In the early stages of the game, the Wuxi team had good passing coordination, and both teams created some scoring opportunities. Eventually, a player from the Chengdu team skillfully broke through several defensive players of the Wuxi team and shot the ball into the lower corner of the goal, breaking the deadlock and securing the victory. After that, the Chengdu team played against the inexperienced Hangzhou team, and the game showed a one-sided situation.

Chengdu    Wuxi    Hangzhou

Wuxi Team: Allan X、Alvin X、Arthur L、Daniel X、Doody C、 Eugene K、James C、Louis L、Peter Y、Polly W、 Steven X、Yann S

Badminton

Team Badminton

Chengdu    Wuxi    Hangzhou

Wuxi Team:  Arthur L、Helen C、Will H、William W、 Ziyi H

Badminton singles

Boys Champion： William W. – Wuxi

Girls Champion ： Ziyi H. – Wuxi

Wuxi players：Macy M、William W、Ziyi H

Performing Arts

The performing arts students, many of whom also competed in some sports events, spent the day collaborating and making bands with members from various schools. After what is a short amount of rehearsal times, the students perform in a performing arts showcase on the Sunday to finish the King's Cup off. All students were very impressive in their performances, and it is always a great way to end the weekend.

Wuxi Team: Candice L、Elsa Z、Emma P、Eugene K、Gabriel Z、Harry C、Janice L、Nicolas Z

Overall King's Cup – Champions

After winning the majority of sports titles, Wuxi were crowned King's Cup Champions for the second year in a row!

It was an action-packed weekend that was full of high-quality sport and music with lots of noise, atmosphere, jokes, laughing and most importantly memories being made!

A huge thank you to all involved, and especially to the Wuxi hosting staff. We look forward to travelling to Chengdu next year to defend our title.