BEIJING, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- Here are the latest Chinese sports headlines from the past week:

1. China beats France on penalties to reach U17 Women's World Cup last eight

Goalkeeper Niu Ziqi saved two penalties as China beat France 4-3 in a shootout on October 29 to reach the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup quarterfinals for the first time.

The last-16 tie went straight to penalties after a goalless 90 minutes at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat.

China's previous best performance at the tournament came in 2025, when the team reached the round of 16 before losing 3-0 to Brazil. China will meet Brazil again in the quarterfinals on November 1.

2. Teenage duo to carry China's flag at Dakar 2026 opening ceremony

Wushu athlete Lin Yilei and swimmer Chang Mohan, both 15, have been named China's flagbearers for the opening ceremony of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the Chinese delegation announced on October 30.

China has sent 66 athletes to compete in 21 sports at the Dakar Youth Olympics, which will run from October 31 to November 13.

Around 2,700 athletes are expected to compete across 25 sports at venues in Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly, with the Games marking the first Olympic sporting event to be held in Africa.

3. Zou wins parallel bars gold as gymnastics worlds conclude

China claimed men's parallel bars gold through Zou Jingyuan and women's balance beam silver through Zhang Qingying on October 25, as five apparatus finals brought the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships to a close.

China ended the championships with three golds, two silvers and two bronzes. Its women reclaimed the team title for the first time since 2006, while Lan Xingyu won rings gold on Saturday. Yang Haonan took men's all-around silver, while the men's team and women's all-around gymnast Ke Qinqin contributed bronze medals.

Next year's World Championships will be held in Chengdu, China.

4. China to face Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland at 2027 Women's Volleyball World Cup

China has been drawn alongside the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland in Pool H of the 2027 Women's Volleyball World Cup, the FIVB announced October 26.

The 32-team tournament will take place across five host cities in the United States and Canada, with the final scheduled for Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

China will play its group-stage matches in Quebec City, which will also host Pool C, featuring Trkiye, the Dominican Republic, France and Egypt.

5. Feng/Huang claim mixed doubles title at badminton French Open

China's Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping claimed the mixed doubles title at the 2026 badminton French Open on October 25, defeating Malaysia's Hoo Pang Ron and Lai Pei Jing in straight games.

The top-seeded Chinese pair needed just 37 minutes to win the final 21-10, 21-13, securing a third consecutive French Open title.