China claims two more golds as Rhine-Ruhr Universiade concludes

ESSEN, Germany, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The 2025 Rhine-Ruhr FISU World University Games concluded on Sunday evening, with China securing two gold medals on the final day of competition.

Zhao Jie earned China's final individual gold by dominating the women's hammer throw with a distance of 72.80 meters.

"I am very thankful for my coach, and also for my team members and the Chinese delegation. I think without them, we would not have done these successfully," said Zhao.

Australia's Elizabeth McMillen won the women's 20km race walk, followed by China's Ning Jinlin and Ji Haiying. With Luo Yue finishing seventh, China claimed the team gold in the event.

The two victories brought China to second in the overall medal standings with 30 golds, 27 silvers and 17 bronzes.

Also on Sunday, 11 rowing gold medals were awarded. Britain collected three, while Italy, the Netherlands and Lithuania each claimed two.

After 234 medal events, Japan topped the medal table with 79 medals, including 34 golds. The United States placed third with 28 golds. Host nation Germany finished sixth, celebrating one of its strongest performances in history with 40 medals, 11 of them gold.

U.S. athletes stood out on the multi-medalist table, with five competitors each claiming five golds.

A total of 28 FISU records were broken during the Games, including 17 in swimming.

"The games in Rhine-Ruhr and Berlin were of a high sporting level and will be remembered as a sustainable, inclusive event," said FISU president Leonz Eder. "The connection between university sports and science, the cultural programs for the public and the friendliness and helpfulness of the volunteers have shaped these wonderful games."

The closing ceremony, held at Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord, featured performances of magic and dance, marking a festive end to the event as student-athletes celebrated the Games' conclusion.

During the ceremony, Eder passed the FISU flag to Kang Chang-hee, president of the 2027 Chungcheong FISU World University Games Organizing Committee. ■