As robots traded blows and sprinted at near-human speeds inside Beijing's iconic National Speed Skating Oval, they weren't just competing for medals, but also racing toward a future where humanoid machines could become indispensable at hospitals, factories and homes. The roar of the crowd reached a fever pitch when a humanoid robot claimed the 1,500-meter title in an astonishing 6 minutes and 34 seconds, matching the pace of a human being. In the adjacent freestyle combat arena, tension mounted with every clash. Armored robots exchanged swift punches and powerful high kicks with fluid and aggressive movements. Even when a robot toppled, it quickly regained its footing, demonstrating advanced self-recovery and balance systems. Beyond the spectacle of athletic competition, the Games feature real-world scenario-based challenges designed to push robots beyond the track. Tasks set in simulated hospital, hotel and factory environments test not only speed and strength, but also adaptability, precision and autonomy. Final scores are determined by both task accuracy and completion time. While most robots rely on wheels for stability, the focus is on functionality, preparing them for practical deployment in everyday settings. For some young participants, the goal isn't just to win, but to push the boundaries of what robots can achieve. The Games serve as a vital proving ground for breakthroughs in robotic mechanics, AI-driven decision-making, and advanced sensor technology. Organizers emphasize its role not only in accelerating innovation, but also in deepening public understanding of how humanoid robots might soon integrate into daily life -- assisting at homes, supporting workers in factories and even caring for the elderly. Held from Thursday to Sunday, the event drew 280 teams from 16 countries, including the United States, Germany, and Italy. Competitors took part in 26 events spanning athletic challenges, such as running, long jump, boxing and football, and practical skill-based tasks, including material handling, drug sorting, and automated cleaning across diverse scenarios. Shotlist: Beijing, China - Aug 15-16, 2025: 1. Various of humanoid robots competing in long race; 2. Various of humanoid robots boxing with each other; 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Luis Cuenca Castro, Spanish filmmaker (starting with shot 2/partially overlaid with shot 4): "I think this is a very bold movement for China to do this. It's very impressive and bold, and I'm very impressed."; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 4. Audience; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 5. Various of robots sorting drugs, moving materials, engineers; 6. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Cong Yao, general manager, Blue Worm Robotics (starting with shot 5): "You can see that our robot's arms are very robust, probably the most sturdy among all competing robots, because they need to deliver high strength. In today's competition, there's a task in a factory scenario that involves transporting boxes. The box is quite heavy, weighing about five kilograms, so it places high demands on the arm's load capacity. Our robot has a distinct advantage in this regard with its high payload capability."; 7. Various of Dutch team participating in robot football match; 8. SOUNDBITE (English) Rick van der Veen, member, Dutch team (starting with shot 7/ending with shot 9): "Soccer in general is a very complicated sport. We humans do it, very natural. But when a robot needs to do it, it's very complicated. So, things like cooperating with each other, even walking, is very valuable for other use cases, like in healthcare."; 9. Various of robot football match in progress; 10. Various of humanoid robot beating drum, engineers discussing. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]