Recently, 22 petite senior women — on average 156 centimeters tall and 57-years-old — created a sensation in a model contest held in Chongqing.

On Oct 19, the Huayang Fashion Model Contest, the session 3 Chongqing final, was held in the city's Jiulongpo district. A total of 176 women over the age of 45 from Chongqing competed.

Among them, an amateur group of "super small" models from Chongqing Muqing Linglong Art Troupe stole the show on the runway. The troupe, established in January, is open for petite senior women in the municipality ranging in height from 150 cm to 159 cm.

"It is the shortest group of the seven art troupes in Muqing, and is one of a kind in the country," said Mao Yuanyuan, general manager of Chongqing Muqing Fashion Education Co, one of the sponsors. She said professional female runway models are required to be between 175 cm to 183 cm tall in the contest.

"We are petite, but we aim high," said 70-year-old Ran Qihui, the troupe leader. "The stage helps us realize our long cherished dream of showing our charm."

She said that after working as a project planner in the iron and steel industry for years, she wanted to enrich her life after retirement.