Beijing's first World Humanoid Robot Games open with hip-hop and martial arts

Humanoid robots danced hip-hop, performed martial arts and played keyboard, guitar and drums at the opening ceremony of the first World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing on Thursday evening.

The competition begins Friday with more than 500 humanoid robots in 280 teams from 16 countries, including the U.S., Germany and Japan, competing in sports including soccer, running and boxing. The event comes as China has stepped up efforts to develop humanoid robots powered by artificial intelligence.

During the opening ceremony, the robots demonstrated soccer and boxing among other sports, with some cheering and backflipping as if at a real sports event.

One robot soccer player scored a goal after a few tries, causing the robot goalkeeper to fall to the ground. Another player fell but stood up unassisted.

The robots also modeled fashionable hats and clothes alongside human models. In one mishap, a robot model fell and had to be carried off the stage by two human beings.

Teams from robot companies and Chinese universities including Tsinghua University and Peking University are competing in the games. Three middle schools are also participating.

China’s official newspaper People’s Daily quoted a government officer in Beijing as saying that every robot that participates "is creating history.”

The event will last three days, concluding on Sunday. Tickets sold to the public range from 180 yuan ($25) to 580 ($80).

Olivia Zhang contributed to this report from Beijing.

Robots march in for the opening ceremony of The World Humanoid Robot Games held in Beijing, China, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

A human performer leaps above robots dressed like terracotta warriors during the opening ceremony of The World Humanoid Robot Games held in Beijing, China, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Robots dressed like terracotta warriors are setup before the opening ceremony of The World Humanoid Robot Games held in Beijing, China, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

A worker prepares a robot before the opening ceremony of The World Humanoid Robot Games held in Beijing, China, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

A robot rehearses the 100m race before the opening ceremony of The World Humanoid Robot Games held in Beijing, China, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama returned from a first-quarter injury scare to score 22 points and grab 10 rebounds and lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 119-101 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night.

Stephon Castle added 19 points and 10 assists and Julian Champagnie had 13 points and 11 rebounds for San Antonio. The Spurs led by 39 points early in the fourth quarter.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 21 points as Milwaukee suffered its third straight loss.

It was the Bucks' second straight lopsided loss after being booed at home during a 139-106 setback to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday.

Wembanyama startled the sellout crowd at the Frost Bank Center and it had nothing to do with his freshly shaved scalp.

He returned to the court after making knee-to-knee contact with Antetokounmpo's left leg under the Bucks basket with 9:18 remaining in the first quarter. Wembanyama dropped to the court in pain before rising and hobbling unassisted in a half sprint toward the locker room.

The 7-foot-4 center from France suffered a hyperextended knee on Dec. 31 in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks in a similar play. He returned to watch from the bench on New Year's Eve but missed the next two games.

Wembanyama returned to the bench at the close of the first quarter Thursday, but this time he went back on the court to start the second quarter.

Wembanyama had 11 points, six rebounds and a blocked shot while playing 12 minutes, 27 seconds in the second quarter.

San Antonio outscored Milwaukee 35-26 during the second quarter in taking a 66-53 lead at the half. The lead expanded to 37 points in the third quarter as both teams sat their starters to open the fourth.

Kyle Kuzma had 18 points and Bobby Portis added 13 points for the Bucks.

Bucks: At Atlanta on Monday night.

Spurs: Host Minnesota on Saturday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) scores past San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) and forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) and guard Ryan Rollins, second from right, battle San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet, left, and guard De'aaron Fox, right, for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) is blocked as he drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) scores over Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, left, drives against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)