Almost a year has passed since the Swiss tug of war team delivered one of the standout performances of The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, returning home with an impressive haul of three medals. Switzerland claimed gold in the mixed competition and silver medals in both the men's and women's events, underlining the country's status as one of the sport's leading nations.
The success built on an already remarkable legacy. At The World Games 2022 in Birmingham, the Swiss men's team captured gold while the women's team earned silver, making Chengdu another milestone in Switzerland's sustained excellence on the international stage.
For Marcel Amhof, Head of Competitive Sport at the Swiss Tug-of-War Federation, the memories of Chengdu remain vivid.
"When we look back on The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, it is above all the emotional moments that stand out," Amhof said.
"Particularly the final of the mixed competition, when we won gold. The team spirit, the tension before the decisive moves and the joy afterwards were unique."
Beyond the medals, it was the unity of the team that left the strongest impression.
"The mutual support we showed each other, whether on or off the competition floor, made these Games something truly special," he said.
"The sensational organisation of the Games will remain a fond memory for a long time to come, and every wish we had was fulfilled."
The competition itself tested the athletes in more ways than one. Across the three days of competition, teams faced dramatically different weather conditions, from intense heat to heavy rain before finally enjoying ideal conditions.
Winning medals in all three categories was a source of immense pride for the Swiss delegation and a testament to the depth of the country's programme.
"We are immensely proud to have won medals in all three disciplines," Amhof said.
"This shows that Swiss tug of war is not just strong in isolated instances but has a broad base and is consistently successful. Achieving success at this level in the men's, women's and mixed categories confirms the quality of our work and the development of this wonderful sport in Switzerland."
Each medal came with its own story, but one moment proved especially significant.
"A decisive turning point was undoubtedly the very close competition in the men's category, where we were able to fight our way back after falling behind in the preliminary round," Amhof recalled.
"That moment gave the whole Swiss delegation a huge boost and strengthened our confidence. Situations like that show just how important mental strength and team spirit are."
The achievements in Chengdu have also provided momentum for the future. While the team continues to celebrate its success, the focus has already shifted towards further improvement and developing the next generation of athletes.
"We were delighted with our success in Chengdu, which confirms that we are on the right track," Amhof said.
"At the same time, it has also shown us where we can continue to improve. Motivation within the team remains high, and we are trying to take things one step at a time. We can also see that the good work we've done in developing young talent over recent years is slowly bearing fruit, as more and more young athletes are finding their way into the team."
For young athletes inspired by Switzerland's performances, Amhof believes the sport offers lessons that extend far beyond competition.
"Success comes from teamwork, patience and passion," he said.
"In tug of war, no one is strong on their own. It takes trust in your teammates, clear communication and a willingness to work for one another. Setbacks are part of the game and are often the most valuable learning experiences. Tug of war is also an excellent lesson in life: you learn to take responsibility, cope with pressure and find solutions together."
Looking ahead, Switzerland has already set its sights on The World Games 2029 in Karlsruhe. Qualification will take place during the 2028 World Championships in St Gallen, giving the Swiss team the opportunity to compete for a place on home soil.
"Qualifying for The World Games 2029 in Karlsruhe is a clear goal for us," Amhof said.
"What's particularly motivating is that the qualifiers will take place as part of our home World Championships in St Gallen in 2028. Competing in front of a home crowd gives us extra energy and motivation. We want to make the most of this opportunity to put our best foot forward and qualify for the next edition of The World Games."