Chengdu World Games: Witnessing China's speed

Gold medalist Deng Lijuan (C) of China, silver medalist Qin Yumei (L) of China and bronze medalist Zhou Yafei of China pose during the awarding ceremony for the Sport Climbing Women's Speed Single at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua Photo)

At the Chengdu World Games on August 14, Chinese climbers Deng Lijuan, Qin Yumei, and Zhou Yafei claimed gold, silver, and bronze respectively in the women’s speed individual event, marking a historic podium sweep as three Chinese flags rose together. In the men’s competition, Chu Shouhong took gold while Long Jianguo secured bronze. Meanwhile, in cue sports, Zhang Taiyi and Xiao Guodong each added gold medals to China’s tally. With these victories, China’s gold medal count reached 25 by day’s end.

The climbing venue at Tianfu Park became a fortress for Chinese athletes, who delivered commanding performances. Seven of China’s eight climbers advanced to the elimination rounds across men’s and women’s events, with two men and three women reaching the semifinals. In the women’s final, Olympic silver medalist Deng Lijuan edged teammate Qin Yumei by a razor-thin 0.01-second margin, while Zhou Yafei clinched bronze to complete the trifecta. The men’s final saw rising star Chu Shouhong dethrone world record holder Samuel Watson of the U.S., clocking 4.80 seconds against Watson’s 4.96. Long Jianguo earlier secured bronze in his playoff.

Gold medalist Chu Shouhong (C) of China, silver medalist Samuel Ryan Watson (L) of the United States, bronze medalist Long Jianguo of China pose during the awarding ceremony for the Sport Climbing Men's Speed Single at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua Photo)

"Competing at my first World Games, climbing has made me more confident. Embracing challenges reveals new versions of yourself," Deng reflected post-race. Chu noted his friendship with rival Watson: "Off the wall we’re close friends, but on it, we’re both focused on surpassing our limits."

The climbing program features six golds across speed individual, lead, and speed relay events, with 72 athletes competing. China earned maximum quotas (four per gender) by topping the 2024 IFSC speed rankings. Lead finals will conclude the discipline on August 15.

In cue sports at the CAFUC Tianfu Campus Gymnasium, Zhang Taiyi defeated South Africa’s Jason Theron 5-3 for the eight-ball mixed title. Xiao Guodong then made history by overcoming Cyprus’s Michael Georgiou 2-1 for China’s first World Games snooker gold—his career milestone at 36. The world No. 13 skipped the Saudi Masters to prepare, capping China’s four-gold cue sports haul (women’s six-red snooker, women’s artistic pool, eight-ball mixed, men’s snooker).

The day’s 35 golds also included duathlon, speed skating track, kickboxing, powerlifting, and sambo.

In their World Games debut, China’s newly formed women’s flag football team narrowly fell 45-47 to world No. 4 Austria despite a spirited display that drew roaring applause. "This fuels our confidence for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics," captain Feng Haolin declared post-match.

Contributed by Wang Dong, Guangming Daily reporter

Translated by Zhang Zhou