Congratulations to the Athletes of the Day on Wednesday at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, China: the Chinese Snooker Player BAI Yulu, becoming The World Games champion on home ground, and Women’s Beach Handball Team from Argentina beating German 2:1 after a Shoot-out deciding the last set. The former IWGA Board Member Roland Hilfiker presented BAI Yulu und the Argentinian’s top scorer Gisella Bonimi each with a certificate and a watch, courtesy of Tissot. In addition to the watch they received a gift from the Local Organzing Committee as well.
Honor Comes above Everything: Dives – BAI Yulu
The 24-year-old learned how to use a cue at her father's pool table. Her talent quickly became apparent and her first successes followed almost as quickly. Snooker became her speciality. At the age of 15, she was already playing in tournaments with adults. The Covid-19 pandemic interrupted her career. At The World Games 2022, she returned to the world stage by winning the women's 6-red title. In 2023, she became vice world champion, and in 2024 and 2025 she secured the title in the amateur class. These successes opened the door to be the Women's Professional Tour. In the final on Wednesday morning against Thailand's Narucha Phoemphul, she won both sets and thrilled the home crowd by winning the gold medal. After the medal match, she said: I felt quite nervous before each match because I really wanted to win, and there was some psychological pressure. But carrying that expectation, even though I didn't make many spectacular shots, I held up under pressure and kept pushing forward. So, overall, I would rate myself positively.“ Representing her country at The World Games meant a lot for the champion: “It's an immense honor and I believe national honor comes above everything. The sense of mission it brings is completely different. So, winning today's match makes me especially excited.”
Boundless Future: Beach Handball Women’s Argentina
The Argentine beach handball team has been among the world's best for years. The results at The World Games prove it. Since the sport was added to the Games programme, the team has won two bronze medals (Cali 2013 and Birmingham 2022) and one silver (Wroclaw 2017). Finally, they made it to gold, and against defending champions Germany no less. It took a shoot-out to clinch the win. Germany won the first set, but Argentina took the second 22-12 and the shoot-out 7-2. This is the first time Argentina has won a team team title at The World Games. Goal scorer Gisella Bonomi said afterwards::„Becoming The World Games Champion is a special feeling. Think about all the sacrifices -- not just mine, but from everyone who helped us along the way. We're more than a team; we're a family of 13, plus all the people supporting us behind the scenes.” Citing the claim of The Games she said about upcoming goals: “My team has a boundless future ahead. This is just the beginning -- we have more to learn and achieve.”