Two Unitree robots practice mixed-martial-arts drills at the National Speed Skating Oval ahead of the opening of the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games — the first global sporting event dedicated exclusively to humanoid robots — in Beijing. An opening ceremony was held Thursday night to kick off the games, which will last through Sunday. Competitions will evaluate robots’ athletic and functional abilities across track and field, soccer, dance, material handling, and medical‑sorting challenges. Among the events is the RoboCup Asia‑Pacific Beijing Masters, which is regarded as the world’s premier humanoid‑robot soccer tournament. More than 500 robots in 280 teams from 16 countries are expected to compete in disciplines that blend athletic performance, AI strategy and real‑world robotics tasks.       China News Service