In the dim light of the China National Acrobatic Troupe's rehearsal hall, the sounds of swift footfalls and controlled breaths reverberate through the air.

A group of male acrobats, focused and poised, prepares for an ambitious performance. Their bodies move like fluid sculptures, each moment a careful calculation of strength and timing. The challenge ahead is not merely technical — it will push the boundaries of what was once considered impossible.

The acrobats are training for their upcoming competition, the 16th Budapest International Circus Festival, in Hungary, in January, where they will showcase a revolutionary reimagining of a classic Chinese acrobatic act, Time – Hoops Tumbling.