Did Britain Just Dethrone Switzerland for Tug of War Gold at The World Games 2025?

Chengdu, Aug 9 (NationPress) The tug of war competitions at The World Games 2025 kicked off on Saturday, with Britain's men's 640kg team claiming the gold medal after a stellar performance against the defending champions, Switzerland. Germany secured the bronze medal. The event features three categories: men's 640kg, women's 500kg, and mixed 580kg, with 18 teams, each comprising eight athletes, participating.

During the morning round-robin qualifying rounds, Germany, Britain, Switzerland, and Belgium earned the top four positions with 11, 9, 7, and 7 points, respectively, to advance to the semifinals. There, Switzerland triumphed over Germany, while Britain defeated Belgium, setting the stage for a gold-medal clash between the two powerhouses.

In the final, Britain showcased their strength, achieving a decisive 3-0 victory over Switzerland. Germany overcame Belgium 2-1 to secure the bronze medal, according to reports from Xinhua.

Tug of war has been part of The World Games since its inception in 1981. Many athletes praised the organization and conditions at the Chengdu World Games, viewing it as an outstanding opportunity to advance the sport.

Shaw Gaz, a bricklayer and member of the victorious British team, stated that their win was a reflection of a year of rigorous training, which included cycling and weighted runs. "During the second pull of the final against Switzerland, I feared we might lose due to their strength, but I motivated myself to persist and give my all," said Gaz, a three-time European champion.

Stefan Heimann, the head coach of Germany, highlighted the diverse age range of his athletes, from those born in the 1980s to the 2000s. "Our training schedule must cater to everyone's unique situations, but it's fascinating as we are united by our passion for the sport," he remarked.

A touching moment occurred during a break in the matches when organizers and spectators honored Dutch athlete Vincent Wagenmans with a surprise birthday celebration. Turning 48, Wagenmans received the World Games mascots "Shu Bao" and "Jin Zai," while the crowd sang Happy Birthday, visibly moving him.

Meanwhile, China clinched the women's group title in acrobatic gymnastics at The World Games 2025 on Saturday night, triumphing at the Dong'an Lake Sports Park Multifunctional Gymnasium. Performing to an energetic arrangement of "Jasmine Flower" variations, China's trio—Gu Jiaquan, Ma Yixing, and Ding Wenyan—delivered a flawless display of synchronized acrobatic elements.

Prior to their performance, the U.S. team set a high standard with an impressive routine, scoring 28.670 points.

Undeterred, the Chinese team took the stage, executing compulsory elements flawlessly and showcasing increasingly complex skills, earning enthusiastic applause from the crowd.

With a winning score of 29.230, they captured the gold medal, followed by the U.S., as the trio celebrated emotionally, wrapped in the national flag. Israel took home the bronze with 28.480 points, while Germany narrowly missed the podium.

In the afternoon qualifiers, China excelled in the balance exercise and finished third in the jazz-style dynamic exercise, leading to the final with a top score of 57.290. This victory marks China's return to world title prominence since 2016, following their gold at the 2024 Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships in Portugal.