Chengdu’s Got Game: 4,000 Athletes, 34 Sports, One World Stage

The 12th edition of The World Games, held in Chengdu, China's bustling southwest metropolis, is underway from August 7 to 17, 2025. Bringing together nearly 4,000 elite athletes representing numerous countries, this multi-sport extravaganza features 34 diverse sports and 60 disciplines. The event celebrates disciplines often outside the Olympic spotlight, offering a unique platform for emerging and non-mainstream sports to shine on the global stage.

 

Key Highlights: Scale, Participation, and Sporting Diversity

 

Around 4,000 athletes compete in 253 medal events across 34 sports including debut sports such as powerboating and cheerleading, signifying the Games’ commitment to innovation and inclusion.

 

India fields a 17-member delegation participating in five sports: archery (compound category), billiards, racquetball, roller sports (skating), and wushu, showcasing growing Indian talent in these non-Olympic disciplines.

 

Standout sports at the Games include climbing (with special emphasis on speed events including the new Speed 4 and Speed Relay formats), squash, roller sports, and dance sports involving breaking, Latin, and standard forms.

 

Para disciplines not included in the Paralympics also feature prominently, reflecting the Games’ inclusive ethos in collaboration with the International Paralympic Committee.

 

The World Games 2025 follow the IWGA’s “Growth Beyond Excellence” strategy, expanding participation and technical officials towards a total of 5,000, thus significantly increasing the Games’ scale and impact.

 

World-Class Venues and Organization in Chengdu

 

Chengdu leverages its excellent infrastructure and prior multi-sport hosting experience—such as the 2019 World Police and Fire Games and 2023 FISU World University Games—to provide world-class venues without new construction.

 

Iconic venues like Tianfu Park provide stunning natural backdrops for outdoor sports like climbing, merging cultural heritage with modern sporting excellence.

 

The city’s efficient organization and enthusiastic local support create a welcoming environment for athletes and spectators, blending international standards with distinct Chinese and Chengdu cultural elements.

 

Noteworthy Competitions and Recent Results

 

The women’s sixes lacrosse competition saw Canada and the United States maintain unbeaten records early in the tournament, setting the stage for thrilling semifinal clashes.

 

In squash, surprises have occurred with unseeded players like Viktor Byrtus advancing to quarterfinals, underscoring the high competitiveness.

 

Archery features Indian hopefuls such as Abhishek Verma and Parneet Kaur, adding to the nation’s strong showing.

 

Martial arts sports like karate, muaythai, ju-jitsu, and wushu showcase intense battles reflecting ancient traditions paired with athleticism.

 

Roller sports highlight speed skating and freestyle events, while dance sports combine artistic flair with athletic prowess in breaking and Latin routines.

 

Cultural and Global Impact

 

The World Games elevate athletic disciplines that capture cultural diversity and specialized skill, offering alternatives to Olympic traditions and expanding global sports culture.

 

Chengdu harnesses the Games to boost tourism and international exposure, inviting the world to revel in its unique blend of modernity, tradition, cuisine, and panda conservation efforts.

 

The event strengthens global sports diplomacy and innovation, promoting cooperation among federations and expanding fan engagement for underrepresented sports.

 

Future Prospects and Legacy

 

The success of the Chengdu World Games is expected to catalyze wider interest and investment in featured sports worldwide, broadening athlete pipelines and grassroots participation.

 

Innovations like the Speed 4 climbing event hint at evolving sports formats that could influence future international competitions, including the Olympics.

 

The rising number of athletes and disciplines evidences The World Games’ growing importance as a global sporting event.

 

In summary, The World Games 2025 in Chengdu deliver a spectacular showcase of Olympic-offbeat disciplines highlighting 4,000 athletes across 34 sports. Blending world-class competition with cultural vibrancy and inclusive spirit, the event pioneers a broader sporting landscape and advances the mission of athletic diversity and global camaraderie.

 

Sources: International World Games Association (IWGA), Olympics.com