China Dominates at Chengdu World Games with Record Medal Haul

The Chengdu World Games wrapped up with China emerging as the leading force, achieving first place in both the gold and overall medal counts. With an impressive tally of 36 gold, 17 silver, and 11 bronze medals, the games underscored the host nation's athletic strength. A standout sport was climbing, where the women’s speed final saw Paris 2024 Olympic silver medalist Deng Lijuan narrowly defeat her teammate Qin Yumei by just one hundredth of a second, marking a clean sweep for Chinese athletes with Zhou Yafei securing the bronze. On the men's side, Chu Shouhong clinched gold with a time of 4.80 seconds, while Long Jianguo added a bronze medal, highlighting the balance of experienced competitors and new talent against the backdrop of enthusiastic crowds at Tianfu Park.

The World Games also featured new developments in sport climbing, including the introduction of a "Speed 4" format, which pits competitors against each other in a more dynamic four-lane race that amplifies the stakes and emphasizes speed and timing. Long Jianguo was quick to adapt, capturing the men’s Speed 4 title, while Indonesia's Desak Made Rita Kusuma Dewi took the women's title ahead of China's Qin. In a dramatic finale to the climbing segment, both the men's and women's teams from China triumphed in the Speed Relay events, with the women's team setting a new world record, further showcasing China's comprehensive dominance across various formats.

Other sports also showcased China's athleticism and talent. In trampoline, Hu Yicheng and Zhang Xinxin delivered a beautifully executed routine to win the women's synchronized gold with a score of 51.340, besting established pairs from Japan and Canada. Additionally, in acrobatic gymnastics, the Chinese women's group delivered an almost flawless performance, securing gold with a score of 29.230. Roller sports provided a different angle to China's success; Chengdu native Zhang Hao claimed gold in men’s speed slalom, following it up with another victory in the men’s classic slalom, while Zhu Siyi topped the women's classic category.

Breaking, a sport that draws from street culture, saw the Chinese teams led by Olympic bronze medalist Liu Qingyi take both the men’s and women’s titles, creating an electric atmosphere reminiscent of a lively street celebration. Meanwhile, the women’s flag football team celebrated a significant milestone by securing their first international victory, overcoming Japan 28-22 in a thrilling comeback, all just three months after their formation. In cue sports, China made history in snooker, as veteran Xiao Guodong won the men’s 15-reds event, marking the nation’s first men’s snooker gold at the World Games. Additionally, 22-year-old Bai Yulu celebrated a notable achievement by claiming China’s first women’s snooker gold at the Games, a sign of her rising status following two world championship titles.