This summer in Chengdu, China delivered a show-stopping performance at the World Games, topping both the gold and overall medal tables for the first time in its history. From August 7 to 17, under the slogan Boundless Sports, Countless Wonders, 321 athletes took on 152 events across 28 sports—and returned home with 36 gold, 17 silver and 11 bronze medals.
Zhang Xin, deputy head of the Chinese delegation, said the tally sets a new best record since China began participating. Of the 489-member delegation (the largest ever sent), 45 athletes stood on top of the podium while two world records fell, highlighting China's growing depth in both traditional and emerging sports.
Para-athletes also made their mark: 10 competitors showcased resilience and skill, capturing five golds and a silver. Zhang noted that most athletes trained in schools, social clubs or independently, and praised the team for achieving success with zero doping incidents and zero controversies in sportsmanship.
Beyond the medal count, the Chengdu Games underscored Asia's rising role in hosting global sports spectacles. New events like canoe polo and breaking (dance sport) drew packed audiences, offering a blueprint for inclusive, tech-driven and sustainable sporting culture—trends that resonate with young fans, entrepreneurs and digital nomads worldwide.
As the city's skyline recovers from the cheers, China's athletes have set the bar higher for the next quadrennial, inspiring a new generation of global citizens to push their limits, on and off the field.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
