The end of Day five marks the halfway point of The World Games 2025.
It is, of course, still too early, but the peak of the 12th edition’s run could also mark the pinnacle of Chengdu's sporting storylines as plenty unfolded across the city today.
Switzerland attained their fourth out of a possible five golds in Orienteering as they won the Mixed Sprint Relay. Yannick Michiels (BEL) from yesterday’s Men’s Sprint the only non-Swiss climbing a top podium.
In one of the six Ju-Jitsu gold matches, Estelle Gaspard (FRA) overcame Antonella Farne (ITA) despite visibly being injured in the last 22 seconds and yet another standout moment.
Finswimming
In a blistering final day of aquatic action at the Chengdu Sport University Sancha Lake Campus Natatorium, records and rivalries starred throughout the Finswimming finals.
Korea’s Shin Myeongjun opened with a lightning 13.74s in the Men’s Apnoea 50m, before Szebasztian Szabo Gyoergyei (HUN) took Bi Fins 50m gold (17.96 – a new world record).
Hungary’s dominance continued through Petra Senanszky (HUN) powering to Women’s Bi Fins 100m victory (45.23), while Germany’s Men’s 4x100m Surface Relay team held off Ukraine by over a second (2:17.39 to 2:18.73).
China closed the session in style, storming to Women’s 4x50m Surface Relay gold (1:07.99) and the setting a new world record time, much to the delight of the home crowd
Freediving
Hungary’s Zsófia Torocsik claimed Women’s Dynamic with Fins gold with a sensational 300 m swim – breaking Julia Malgorzata Kozerka’s (POL) world record by 16 metres - while Mateusz Malina, too from Poland, edged Freediving legend Alexey Molchanov in the men’s event, 310.5 m to 305.5 m.
China’s Huang Jingqiu shone at home with 91 m to take Women’s Dynamic without Fins (FFS1-FFS2), and Ilenia Colanero (ITA) struck gold in the FFS3-FFS4 final in a contest that saw two rivals out of four athletes disqualified thus there was no bronze medallist.
The men’s FFS1-FFS2 crown went to China’s Long Dengxi at 181.5 m, bringing the end of the sport that pushes human limits beneath the surface at Chengdu Sport University Sancha Lake Campus Natatorium.
Ju-Jitsu
The tatami mats today in Chengdu brought close clashes and high drama as champions were crowned across three disciplines.
France’s Estelle Gaspard edged a tense -52kg Fighting final 10–8 all whilst showing a sign of portential injury in the last 20 seconds, while Germany’s Sophie Buscher dominated the -57kg category with an 18–6 win.
Thailand’s Warut Netpong and Charatchai Kitpongsri dazzled in the Mixed Duo Show, claiming gold with a score of 53.0.
Ne-Waza action delivered emphatic finishes, none more so than Israel’s Nimrod Ryeder’s 50–0 submission triumph in the -77kg final.
Inline Hockey
Inline Hockey served up a dramatic finale in Chengdu as USA edged Czechia 4–3 in overtime to claim gold.
Kevin Mooney was the American hero, firing the winner in with 7:59 left on the extra-time clock.
Mooney will be the happiest man on the planet right now but Namibia are the proudest country.
They secured a historic bronze, their maiden medal in The World Games as the African nation defeated France 3–2, another nailbiting finish at the Chengdu Roller Sports Centre, capping an unforgettable Men's tournament of razor-thin margins and standout individual performances.
To put the rairity into perspective, Namibia had only four recorded TWG athletes before 2025.
Lacrosse
Getting silver at The World Games is of course a credible achievement to brag about but the gold medal match itself was a day to forget for Canada’s Women Sixes Lacrosse team.
It immediately began with adversity as Jordan Dean received an expulsion in the opening minute for a head strike, reducing Canada to four outfield players for two minutes.
A temporary player advantage of course helped the USA surge ahead, and they claimed gold with a commanding 16-8 victory.
In the Bronze Final, Australia edged past Japan in a thrilling 13-12 finish which went into overtime, sealing their place on the podium.
Orienteering
Switzerland clinched gold in the Mixed Sprint Relay – the final Orienteering event of TWG 2025 - clocking a commanding 58:04 behind the smooth teamwork of Simona Aebersold, Natalia Gemperle, Tino Polsini and Riccardo Rancan.
Sweden followed closely, taking silver at 58:09 with Emma Bjessmo, Jonatan Gustafsson, August Möllen and Alva Sonesson, just five seconds shy of the podium-toppers.
Czechia captured bronze in 58:19, as Jakub Glonek, Denisa Králová, Tomáš Krivda and Tereza Rauturier showed impressive consistency to round out the medals.
It proved to be a tight finish among the top three in Chengdu’s Eastern New Area with all three teams separated by just 15 seconds.
Tug of War
Switzerland claimed gold in the Mixed Outdoor 580 kg Tug of War at The World Games Chengdu 2025, defeating Belgium 3–0 in a dominant final.
The bronze medallists from The World Games Bimingham 2022 Belgium secured silver after a strong campaign but were overpowered in the decider.
Germany steered past Italy 3–0 to take bronze, displaying impressive pulling consistency throughout the contest.