2LT National News

BEIJING, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) — Here are the latest Chinese sports headlines from the past week:

1. The World Games 2025 opens in Chengdu with celebration of culture and unity

Chinese State Councillor Shen Yiqin declared the 12th edition of The World Games open on Thursday night at the Tianfu International Convention Center in Chengdu, against a backdrop of the city skyline, tranquil lake waters and lush greenery.

Beneath the “Tianfu Roof” – Asia’s largest single wooden structure, stretching 430 meters – around 10,000 spectators erupted in cheers as Shen Yiqin, joined by International World Games Association (IWGA) President Jose Perurena and International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board Member Li Lingwei, officially opened the Games.

The opening ceremony reached its climax when the final two torchbearers – Chinese waterskiers Xu Lu and Alu Xiaobo – glided across the water behind powerboats, carrying torches passed to them by snooker player Ding Junhui and Olympic and TWG trampoline champion Dong Dong. Xu and Alu then lit the main cauldron, designed as a water-shaped spout rising from the lake, as fireworks lit up the sky in a dazzling display.

Running from August 7 to 17 under the slogan “Boundless Sports, Countless Wonders,” the 12th World Games marks the first time the event is hosted on the Chinese mainland. It follows Chengdu’s successful staging of the 31st FISU World University Games in 2023.

2. China trounces India for second straight win at men’s basketball Asia Cup

China’s men’s basketball team trounced India 100-69 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Thursday for its second straight win in preliminary Group C at the FIBA Asia Cup.

Hu Mingxuan and Zhao Jiayi had 17 points apiece, and Cheng Shuaipeng and Wang Junjie each added 13 as the Chinese men took an easy victory following their narrow 93-88 win over Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

The Asian powerhouse shot 15-for-28 from beyond the arc as Hu Jinqiu and Liao Sanning also scored in double digits with 11 points apiece.

“We demonstrated strong execution and a more balanced approach between offense and defense in this game compared to the first one,” said China head coach Guo Shiqiang. “Our fast breaks were effective, and we shot the ball pretty well.”

3. FIVB president lauds China’s role in volleyball’s global growth

With a clear vision to double the global volleyball population from 800 million to 1.6 billion by 2032, the head of the sport’s world governing body said China is playing a crucial role in that effort.

“We are coming to China at least twice a year, it is because of the huge potential of volleyball in China,” said International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) president Fabio Azevedo in an exclusive interview with Xinhua during the FIVB Men’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Finals held in Ningbo, China.

“We want to grow to 1.6 billion people in only eight years from now. Without China, it would be impossible.”

4. 12-year-old Yu Zidi stuns world stage as swimming’s future shines in Singapore

At just 12 years old, China’s Yu Zidi made a stunning debut at the World Aquatics Championships, reaching three individual finals and earning a relay medal – a breakout performance that turned heads at a meet marked by world records and intense rivalries.

The eight-day swimming competition concluded Sunday in Singapore with three world records and 15 championship records. As the first major long-course showdown ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, it showcased the continued dominance of the United States and Australia as well as the rapid rise of young international stars.

Yu became the youngest swimmer in history to win a world championship medal, earning bronze in the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay after swimming in the heats. Though she did not race in the final, her contribution secured a place on the podium.

Her individual results were just as striking. Yu placed fourth in the 200m butterfly, 200m individual medley and 400m individual medley, narrowly missing medals in all three. Competing against swimmers more than twice her age, she captivated the swimming world.

Yu said racing against elite swimmers she once only watched on television offered invaluable experience.

“I learned so much,” she said. “For example, I want to study Summer McIntosh’s turns – I really admire her technique. I see her as a role model and hope I can become as good as she is someday.”

5. China’s dream team reaffirms dominance amid rising challenge at Singapore Worlds

China wrapped up the diving competition at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore with nine gold, three silver and four bronze medals, reaffirming its dominance despite the absence of several Paris Olympic champions.

The squad, blending veterans with emerging talents, was named Best Diving Team of the championships.

Veterans Chen Yuxi, Chen Yiwen and Wang Zongyuan delivered steady performances, while newcomers Chen Jia and Xie Peiling impressed on their World Championships debuts. Rising challenges from Mexico, Australia and the DPR Korea, however, point to intensifying competition ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

China, which swept all eight Olympic diving titles in Paris last year, claimed six golds in the same disciplines in Singapore. These included victories in both the individual and synchronized 3-meter springboard and 10-meter platform events for women, as well as men’s synchronized 3m and 10m.

Chen Yuxi secured her fourth world title in the women’s 10m platform, while Chen Yiwen collected her third in the women’s 3m springboard. New pairings such as Wang Zongyuan/Zheng Jiuyuan, Chen Yuxi/Zhang Minjie and Chen Yiwen/Chen Jia performed strongly, offering promise for the new Olympic cycle.