Lu Zhuoling secures China's 1st gold at Chengdu World Games in Wushu
Members of the Chinese delegation parade on Thursday during the opening ceremony of the 12th World Games in Chengdu, Sichuan province. [Photo/Xinhua]
With multiple world titles under the belt as well as experiences at Winter Olympic Games, China's roller sports veteran Guo Dan is looking to deliver more glories on home soil at the Chengdu World Games.
Guo, 35, chose to retire last year but makes her return to the World Games stage after 12 years.
"Competing at a home World Games is like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I hope to have a chance to show my sport to home supporters. That's the main reason why I chose to come back."
At the 2013 games, she beat some of the world's best and won two gold medals and one silver.
"I still remember that winning in Colombia (2013 World Games) was incredibly tough. Competing at home now, I feel more relaxed and ready to show my best in Chengdu," said Guo, a champion across World Championships, World Cup, and World Games, who also represented China in speed skating at the 2018 and 2022 Olympic Winter Games.
"The World Games perfectly complements the Olympics. I'm honored to have taken part in both events and hope more people can discover and appreciate niche sports through the World Games."
After a spectacular opening ceremony on Thursday night, the Chengdu games started its busy competition day on Friday, which saw a total of 23 gold medals awarded across various sports including Wushu, dancesport, gymnastics, karate, archery, and lifesaving.
Lu Zhuoling of China competes during the Taijiquan competiton of women's Taijiquan-Taijijian Final of Wushu event at the World Games 2025 in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan province, Aug 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
Guo will have to wait for few more days before her gold attempt while her compatriot Lu Zhuoling clinched China's first gold medal in the games in women's Taijiquan-Taijijian combined event on Friday.
Wushu, or kung fu, making its debut as an official sport of the World Games, is the collective term for the martial art practices that originated and developed in China.
Friday morning also saw the games' first gold, which was grabbed by Swiss athlete Riccardo Rancan in the men's middle distance event in orienteering.
This is the first individual World Games gold for the 29-year-old. His previous best records were fourth place in the sprint relay at the 2024 World Championships and in the sprint knockout at the 2021 European Championships.
Riccardo Rancan claimed the first gold of The World Games 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
"It's really cool and a big honor to win the World Games, especially for our country Switzerland," Rancan said after claiming the gold.
Describing the competition as "really tough", Rancan said he and his teammates had to get themselves adjusted quickly to the heat and humid conditions as they came to Chengdu just three days ago.
"I think we managed quite well and the key was to start not too fast and fight until the end," he said.
Rancan's fellow Simona Aebersold added a double glory for Switzerland in the women's middle distance event in orienteering.
The reigning champion swept gold medals in all three events she competed in the games' 11th edition in Birmingham, United States, in 2022: middle-distance, sprint, and mixed sprint relay.
"I'm happy and satisfied with my performance," she said after the competition.
Aebersold comes from a prestigious orienteering family, with her father being a three-time World Orienteering Championships relay gold medalist.
"I was brought to orienteering races since I was a kid and orienteering became a part of my life," she said, noting that her father has helped and followed her growth throughout her career.
In the previous editions of the World Games, the Swiss team captured 10 of the 26 gold medals awarded in orienteering, placing them at the top of the sport's medal table, according to statistics from the organizing committee.
Lu Zhuoling of China competes during the Taijiquan competiton of women's Taijiquan-Taijijian Final of Wushu event at the World Games 2025 in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan province, Aug 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
Lu Zhuoling of China competes during the Taijiquan competiton of women's Taijiquan-Taijijian Final of Wushu event at the World Games 2025 in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan province, Aug 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
Lu Zhuoling of China greets the spectators during the Taijiquan competiton of women's Taijiquan-Taijijian Final of Wushu event at the World Games 2025 in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan province, Aug 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
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