More than 1,000 foreign students from 29 local universities participated in this year's Shanghai International Students Dragon Boat Race on June 1. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"We trained two to three times per week for almost three months before the competition," said the Nigerian, who has been studying at the university for about eight years.

"It was really nice to be part of a festival which is attended by people from different cultures. Our team alone comprised students from over 15 countries. This sport has united people with Chinese culture," he added.

Aboubacar's Italian teammate Ilaria Gatta felt the same way.

"The training before the competition made us excited and united," said the 25-year-old.

"Being here with many foreign students and representing our university drove us to push harder. I feel that it is important to participate in what is important in China."