On October 1, 2023, in the grand setting of Guazhou, Gansu. This event, the 18th edition, is a test of intelligence, physical endurance, willpower, and team spirit. It is not just an extreme sports competition but also a journey of pursuing dreams, self-discovery, and surpassing limits in life.
Under the leadership of Professor Zhu Bo, the Vice Director of the Professional Degree Education Center, a total of 10 members from Southwest Jiaotong University School of Economics and Management participated in the four-day competition. They faced challenges against nature and themselves in the Gobi Desert, showcasing the charm and courage of Southwest Jiaotong University. All team members safely completed the race, achieving the highest group honor, the Shackleton Award. They also received the Public Welfare Action Award from the organizing committee. Additionally, Zhang Yu, a 2022 EMBA student representing the school, participated in the Western Gobi Friends Alliance team and secured third place in the "Gobi Resounds Loudly" competition.
The Xuanzang Road Gobi Challenge is now in its 18th year, marking its "coming of age." This was the sixth time the Southwest Jiaotong University School of Economics and Management EMBA team embarked on this 800-mile journey through the Gobi Desert. To prepare for the challenge, team members started individual training and regular long-distance team exercises from June. Throughout the competition, they overcame various difficulties such as scorching heat, unfamiliar terrain, and gastrointestinal discomfort, earning a total of 7 individual gold medals. They watered the seeds of glory with their sweat.
The allure of the Gobi Challenge lies in pushing limits in the harsh natural environment. The team members gained insights into the philosophy of "ideals, action, persistence, and transcendence," experiencing the state of "harmony between man and nature" in the vast world. The returning heroes now have more determined gazes, empowered by the ethos of extreme sports. They embodied the motto of the Xuanzang Road Business School Gobi Challenge with their actions: "Never forget the original intention, and one will achieve lasting success."
On October 6, Deputy Secretary of the School Party Committee Yan Libin, along with Professor Zhu Bo and other alumni, warmly welcomed and congratulated the victorious Ge 18 warriors at Tianfu Airport. They not only earned honor and dignity for the Southwest Jiaotong University School of Economics and Management but also contributed to the university's positive image.
While the Gobi journey has concluded, the spirit of perseverance and tenacity will forever reside in the hearts of the team members. Fueled by this experience, they will continue to strive for their studies and careers, contributing their efforts to the development and progress of society.
