SANYA, China, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — At noon on April 30, the women’s beach handball final of the 6th Asian Beach Games Sanya 2026 was held at the Tianya Haijiao Competition Venue. Vietnam defeated China in a penalty shootout to claim the final gold medal of this edition of the Games, while China took silver. With that, competitions across 14 sports, 15 disciplines, and 62 events concluded. The Chinese delegation finished with 24 gold, 18 silver, and 13 bronze medals, topping the overall medal standings.

Sanya 2026 marked China’s second time hosting the Asian Beach Games, and was also the first major international multi-sport event held following the island-wide special customs operations of the Hainan Free Trade Port. Zhang Xin, deputy head and secretary-general of the Chinese sports delegation, said: “China’s gold medal achievements showed encouraging breakthroughs across multiple areas and broad-based success. Most encouragingly, several sports achieved historic breakthroughs.” Among them, young sport climber Zhao Yicheng broke the men’s speed sport climbing world record in 4.58 seconds. Several events set new Games records, while China swept all gold medals in aquathlon and open water swimming.

The organization of the Games also received high praise. At the press conference summarizing the event held on the 29th, Husain Al-Musallam, Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia, praised this edition of the Asian Beach Games as a model of green, safe, simple, and digital event organization, noting that all delegations experienced Sanya’s warmth and charm.

For the host city of Sanya and for Hainan as a whole, the “traffic” generated by the Games is being converted into economic “gains.” The vibrant beach competitions have driven a surge in consumption across the entire chain, including tourism, accommodation, catering, cultural and creative industries, and duty-free retail. The vision of “hosting one event, developing multiple industries, and benefiting the region” is becoming a reality.

Sanya 2026 is drawing to a close, but a new chapter in China’s beach sports has only just begun. The footprints left by the athletes will inspire more people to devote themselves to this captivating arena.

SANYA, China, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — At noon on April 30, the women’s beach handball final of the 6th Asian Beach Games Sanya 2026 was held at the Tianya Haijiao Competition Venue. Vietnam defeated China in a penalty shootout to claim the final gold medal of this edition of the Games, while China took silver. With that, competitions across 14 sports, 15 disciplines, and 62 events concluded. The Chinese delegation finished with 24 gold, 18 silver, and 13 bronze medals, topping the overall medal standings.

Sanya 2026 marked China’s second time hosting the Asian Beach Games, and was also the first major international multi-sport event held following the island-wide special customs operations of the Hainan Free Trade Port. Zhang Xin, deputy head and secretary-general of the Chinese sports delegation, said: “China’s gold medal achievements showed encouraging breakthroughs across multiple areas and broad-based success. Most encouragingly, several sports achieved historic breakthroughs.” Among them, young sport climber Zhao Yicheng broke the men’s speed sport climbing world record in 4.58 seconds. Several events set new Games records, while China swept all gold medals in aquathlon and open water swimming.

The organization of the Games also received high praise. At the press conference summarizing the event held on the 29th, Husain Al-Musallam, Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia, praised this edition of the Asian Beach Games as a model of green, safe, simple, and digital event organization, noting that all delegations experienced Sanya’s warmth and charm.

For the host city of Sanya and for Hainan as a whole, the “traffic” generated by the Games is being converted into economic “gains.” The vibrant beach competitions have driven a surge in consumption across the entire chain, including tourism, accommodation, catering, cultural and creative industries, and duty-free retail. The vision of “hosting one event, developing multiple industries, and benefiting the region” is becoming a reality.

Sanya 2026 is drawing to a close, but a new chapter in China’s beach sports has only just begun. The footprints left by the athletes will inspire more people to devote themselves to this captivating arena.

SANYA, China, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — At noon on April 30, the women’s beach handball final of the 6th Asian Beach Games Sanya 2026 was held at the Tianya Haijiao Competition Venue. Vietnam defeated China in a penalty shootout to claim the final gold medal of this edition of the Games, while China took silver. With that, competitions across 14 sports, 15 disciplines, and 62 events concluded. The Chinese delegation finished with 24 gold, 18 silver, and 13 bronze medals, topping the overall medal standings.

Sanya 2026 marked China’s second time hosting the Asian Beach Games, and was also the first major international multi-sport event held following the island-wide special customs operations of the Hainan Free Trade Port. Zhang Xin, deputy head and secretary-general of the Chinese sports delegation, said: “China’s gold medal achievements showed encouraging breakthroughs across multiple areas and broad-based success. Most encouragingly, several sports achieved historic breakthroughs.” Among them, young sport climber Zhao Yicheng broke the men’s speed sport climbing world record in 4.58 seconds. Several events set new Games records, while China swept all gold medals in aquathlon and open water swimming.

The organization of the Games also received high praise. At the press conference summarizing the event held on the 29th, Husain Al-Musallam, Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia, praised this edition of the Asian Beach Games as a model of green, safe, simple, and digital event organization, noting that all delegations experienced Sanya’s warmth and charm.

For the host city of Sanya and for Hainan as a whole, the “traffic” generated by the Games is being converted into economic “gains.” The vibrant beach competitions have driven a surge in consumption across the entire chain, including tourism, accommodation, catering, cultural and creative industries, and duty-free retail. The vision of “hosting one event, developing multiple industries, and benefiting the region” is becoming a reality.

Sanya 2026 is drawing to a close, but a new chapter in China’s beach sports has only just begun. The footprints left by the athletes will inspire more people to devote themselves to this captivating arena.

LONDON, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — NABA, Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti, announces the appointment of Diego Mattiolo as School Director and Head of Education of its new London campus, with courses starting from in the 2026/2027 Academic Year.

Diego Mattiolo School Director and Head of Education NABA London campus.

The appointment marks a strategic step in the evolution of NABA’s educational model and strengthens the Academy’s presence in the UK market, at a time when the country is increasingly focusing on creative education to meet the growing demand for skills in the cultural and creative industries.

With over ten years of international experience in academic management, Diego Mattiolo brings to NABA strong expertise in leading multicultural teams and developing dynamic, student-centred learning environments. His international profile, combined with his strong roots in the UK context, will be key to positioning the new campus within one of the world’s most dynamic and stimulating environments for creativity and artistic professions. As Mattiolo underlines, the goal is to build an international learning environment enriched by the care and craftsmanship typical of Italian expertise, with an inclusive, project-driven approach capable of connecting students directly with the professional world.

Building on the experience and heritage of its Milan and Rome campuses, NABA brings to London a distinctive element: Italian know-how, globally recognised in the fields of design, fashion and visual arts. This heritage is understood not only as a cultural legacy, but as a design-driven approach that integrates research, experimentation and making. It translates into an educational model that combines creative vision with practical application, in line with the purpose: “Through Artistic Intelligence we nurture people to design a new tomorrow.”

From September 2026, NABA London will offer Bachelor’s degrees in Design, Fashion Design and Fashion Marketing Management, accredited by Regent’s University London. The academic offering is defined by an interdisciplinary, project-based approach, built around the “learning by doing” model. Small class sizes, with lab practical up to 28 students, theoretical classes up to 40, will enable direct and continuous interaction with faculty, supporting a highly education focused on individual development and the exploration of each student’s creative talent. Hands-on experience will play a central role through dedicated spaces including the Design Lab, Fashion Design Lab and Textile & Knitwear Lab. They will allow students to work on real briefs, develop practical skills, and engage with professional methodologies and dynamics, in dialogue with leading industry players. The campus is located within Here East, an ecosystem where education, industry and research coexist.

Within the London landscape, this approach also translates into an accessible and merit-driven education, with scholarships of up to £7,000, depending on the eligibility round, awarded to students who demonstrate commitment and talent. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee reduction for the first year of study and may be continued into the second and third years, subject to the recipient meeting the required academic progression and performance criteria set by the Academy.

Info on: www.naba.ac.uk

LONDON, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — NABA, Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti, announces the appointment of Diego Mattiolo as School Director and Head of Education of its new London campus, with courses starting from in the 2026/2027 Academic Year.

Diego Mattiolo School Director and Head of Education NABA London campus.

The appointment marks a strategic step in the evolution of NABA’s educational model and strengthens the Academy’s presence in the UK market, at a time when the country is increasingly focusing on creative education to meet the growing demand for skills in the cultural and creative industries.

With over ten years of international experience in academic management, Diego Mattiolo brings to NABA strong expertise in leading multicultural teams and developing dynamic, student-centred learning environments. His international profile, combined with his strong roots in the UK context, will be key to positioning the new campus within one of the world’s most dynamic and stimulating environments for creativity and artistic professions. As Mattiolo underlines, the goal is to build an international learning environment enriched by the care and craftsmanship typical of Italian expertise, with an inclusive, project-driven approach capable of connecting students directly with the professional world.

Building on the experience and heritage of its Milan and Rome campuses, NABA brings to London a distinctive element: Italian know-how, globally recognised in the fields of design, fashion and visual arts. This heritage is understood not only as a cultural legacy, but as a design-driven approach that integrates research, experimentation and making. It translates into an educational model that combines creative vision with practical application, in line with the purpose: “Through Artistic Intelligence we nurture people to design a new tomorrow.”

From September 2026, NABA London will offer Bachelor’s degrees in Design, Fashion Design and Fashion Marketing Management, accredited by Regent’s University London. The academic offering is defined by an interdisciplinary, project-based approach, built around the “learning by doing” model. Small class sizes, with lab practical up to 28 students, theoretical classes up to 40, will enable direct and continuous interaction with faculty, supporting a highly education focused on individual development and the exploration of each student’s creative talent. Hands-on experience will play a central role through dedicated spaces including the Design Lab, Fashion Design Lab and Textile & Knitwear Lab. They will allow students to work on real briefs, develop practical skills, and engage with professional methodologies and dynamics, in dialogue with leading industry players. The campus is located within Here East, an ecosystem where education, industry and research coexist.

Within the London landscape, this approach also translates into an accessible and merit-driven education, with scholarships of up to £7,000, depending on the eligibility round, awarded to students who demonstrate commitment and talent. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee reduction for the first year of study and may be continued into the second and third years, subject to the recipient meeting the required academic progression and performance criteria set by the Academy.

Info on: www.naba.ac.uk