Thrills and Triumphs Unfold: Live Recap of Day 2 Finals at the 2025 World University Games…Read More…

Thrills and Triumphs Unfold: Live Recap of Day 2 Finals at the 2025 World University Games…Read More…

Chengdu, China – July 18, 2025 — The heat of competition soared even higher on Day 2 of the 2025 World University Games as the finals delivered an electrifying mix of record-breaking feats, emotional victories, and stunning upsets. Athletes from over 120 nations descended upon Chengdu’s world-class arenas, setting the stage for a day brimming with unforgettable moments in university sports.

Swimming Dominance and Surprise Finishes

The day opened with a wave of excitement at the Dong’an Lake Sports Park Aquatics Center, where swimming finals kicked off with the men’s 100m butterfly. Japan’s Riku Kawamoto, a rising star from Waseda University, stunned spectators with a blistering finish of 50.97 seconds, edging out pre-race favorite Marco Sánchez of Spain by just 0.02 seconds. Kawamoto’s explosive last 15 meters earned him his first international gold, drawing roars from the packed stands.

In the women’s 200m freestyle, Italy’s Sofia Mancini delivered a dominant performance, clocking 1:55.84, setting a new Universiade record. Her smooth glide and powerful turn off the final wall left silver medalist Emma van Dijk of the Netherlands trailing by over a second. Mancini, overwhelmed with emotion, dedicated her victory to her late coach during her post-race interview, adding a heartfelt moment to the day’s highlights.

Athletics Showcase: Speed, Stamina, and Surprises

On the track at Chengdu Open Stadium, the atmosphere reached fever pitch with the men’s 400m final. American runner Jalen Thompson, representing Texas A&M, ran a tactically flawless race, clocking 44.87 seconds, holding off Botswana’s Neo Molefe, who staged a late charge but settled for silver. Thompson’s win marked the first gold for Team USA on the track this year, igniting chants from the visiting American supporters.

The women’s 1500m final became a showcase of endurance and tactics. Kenya’s Faith Cherono, a student at Nairobi University, unleashed a devastating kick in the final 300 meters, surging past Britain’s Amelia Hart to seize gold in 4:02.15. Cherono’s victory added to Kenya’s growing medal tally and reaffirmed the nation’s dominance in middle-distance events.

However, the biggest surprise came in the men’s 110m hurdles, where underdog Lukas Müller from Germany defied expectations with a clean, technically superb race, clocking 13.31 seconds — his personal best — to capture gold ahead of China’s home favorite Liang Jun, who stumbled slightly on the ninth hurdle. Müller’s disbelief was evident as he crossed the line, his celebration muted by shock before erupting into joy moments later.

Gymnastics Glory for the Host Nation

Inside the Chengdu Gymnasium, Chinese gymnasts gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about during the Artistic Gymnastics finals. Zhang Yuhan dazzled on the balance beam, scoring 14.866 with a near-flawless routine packed with difficulty and grace. Her gold-medal performance secured China’s third gymnastics title of the Games, drawing standing ovations from the partisan crowd.

The men’s all-around final saw a dramatic battle between Russia’s Ivan Petrov and Japan’s Kenji Tanaka, with Petrov narrowly edging out Tanaka by 0.134 points after a sensational high bar routine that sealed his gold. The competition between the two gymnasts showcased sportsmanship and skill at its finest, a highlight of the day’s action.

Judo: Power and Precision on Display

Judo finals delivered gripping battles on the mats at the Chengdu Judo Hall. France’s Camille Dubois claimed gold in the women’s -63kg category after a tactically brilliant match against Japan’s Ayaka Sato, using a perfectly timed uchi-mata for an ippon victory. Dubois, known for her aggressive style, praised Sato for pushing her to the limit in a match that had the crowd on the edge of their seats.

In the men’s -81kg final, Brazil’s Rafael Oliveira showcased strength and composure, defeating Korea’s Kim Ji-hoon with a decisive throw in golden score overtime. Oliveira’s triumph marked Brazil’s first judo gold of the tournament, sparking jubilation among his teammates.

Medal Tally and Day’s Standouts

As the sun set over Chengdu, China topped the medal standings, with strong performances across gymnastics, diving, and shooting. Japan, Italy, and the United States followed closely, while surprises from nations like Kenya, Germany, and Brazil added to the day’s unpredictability.

Among standout athletes of the day, Riku Kawamoto, Faith Cherono, Zhang Yuhan, and Lukas Müller earned widespread praise for their performances that blended skill, heart, and raw determination.

The Spirit of the Games Shines On

Day 2 of the 2025 World University Games reaffirmed the competition’s reputation as a global stage where young athletes rise beyond expectations. Whether through nail-biting finishes, unexpected breakthroughs, or heartfelt sportsmanship, the day offered a vivid reminder of what makes the Universiade special — a melting pot of talent, dreams, and global unity.

As action resumes tomorrow with more finals in athletics, swimming, and team sports, fans across the world will be watching closely, eager for more moments of magic from Chengdu.