Student athletes an inspiration to others as Hong Kong and mainland China join in Fisu World University Games
- Hong Kong and China teams show learning and sport do go together with medals bonanza at World University Games
The World University Games are certainly no rival to the Olympics or other world and regional competitions in terms of prestige and athletic excellence.
But they can be just as inspiring and worthy of public attention and celebrations, especially in light of the rousing success of the Hong Kong and the mainland squads in the first post-Covid international multi-sports event held on Chinese soil.
Delayed from 2021 in the wake of the pandemic, the 31st Fisu World University Games in Chengdu have proved a great success for Hong Kong and the mainland. The city sent its largest delegation yet to a Universiade hosted by the nation.
The athletes won four golds, one silver and seven bronzes from five sports, their best haul ever at the Games.
The mainland team topped the table with no fewer than 178 medals – 103 gold, 40 silver and 35 bronze – outnumbering the total scored by Japan and South Korea, who came second and third, respectively.
Given China’s athletic prowess, the results are perhaps unsurprising. Hong Kong’s performance is equally impressive.