Burgeoning mermaid contest in China attracts int'l athletes

STORY: Burgeoning mermaid contest in China attracts int'l athletes DATELINE: Sept. 21, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:29 LOCATION: SANYA, China CATEGORY: SPORTS SHOTLIST: 1. various of mermaid performers 2. various of Atlantis Sanya 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Korean): SEOLHWA HONG, Mermaid performer from South Korea 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): BEFALIA AISARAHMADANI, Mermaid performer from Indonesia 5. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): ANDY VARGAS, Merman from the U.S. 6. various of mermaid performers STORYLINE: 2023 China Mermaid Open Championship Atlantis Station kicked off Tuesday in Sanya City in south China's Hainan Province, attracting more than 60 athletes from countries including China, America, Germany, and South Korea. The two-day event is held in Atlantis Sanya, a landmark hotel in the city, covering men's singles, women's singles, four-person teams, and mermaid performances. SOUNDBITE 1 (Korean): SEOLHWA HONG, Mermaid performer from South Korea "The performances by all the Chinese mermaids were outstanding. I'm very surprised an