Chengdu, 30 March 2025 - The second day of The World Games Series Chengdu 2025 was packed with intense competition and historic victories across Underwater Sports, Life Saving and Boules Sports.
Athletes from around the world showcased their skills with the best ones earning their places at The World Games 2025 from 7-17 August.
Unprecedented double gold in Finswimming
One of the most memorable moments of the day came in the Finswimming Women’s Bi Fins 100m, where Dorottya Pernyesz (HUN) and Yevheniia Tymoshenko (UKR) finished in a dead heat, both clocking 47.82 seconds to share the gold medal. Zoe Turucz (HUN) secured bronze in 48.46 seconds.
Freediving champions secure spots at TWG 2025
Hungary’s Zsofia Torocsik dominated the Freediving Women’s Dynamic with Fins, covering 255.5 meters to claim gold and qualify for The World Games 2025. Reflecting on her achievement, she said:
“I’m really happy and satisfied. It looks like I can come back in August, which I’m thrilled about. After a few days of rest, I’ll compete in Serbia before shifting focus to The World Championship.”
In the Freediving Men’s Dynamic with Fins, Alexey Molchanov (AIN) secured the top spot.
Afterward, he shared his excitement:
“I’m excited because it’s my best result. My training was productive, and it led me to this victory. Now, I’ll start preparing for The World Games in August.”
Germany’s Justus Moerstedt surprised even himself by winning gold in the Finswimming Men’s Apnoea 50m with a time of 14.25 seconds.
He admitted:
“I didn’t expect this medal at all because 50m is not my favourite discipline. But I’m pretty happy that I was so fast. I’ll now focus on the 200m event and give my best there too.”
On Day 2 in Underwater Sports, the following athletes have qualified for The World Games 2025.
Freediving Women
Yasuko Ozeki (JPN)
Zsofia Torocsik (HUN)
Freediving Men
Mauro Generali (ITA)
Alexey Molchanov (AIN)
Life Saving highlights
In Life Saving, Italy dominated with Francesco Ippolito (ITA) taking gold in the Men’s 50m Manikin Carry (28.44 seconds), while Helene Giovanelli (ITA) led the women’s event in 34.87 seconds. Italy’s Lucrezia Fabretti further showcased her strength by winning gold in the Women’s 100m Manikin Tow with Fins (50.76 seconds), while her compatriot Davide Crermonini topped the men’s event in 50.16 seconds.
Madagascar shines in Boules Sports
In Pétanque Precision Shooting, Yves Rakotoarisoa (MAD) and Mirana Ramamonjisoa (MAD) secured their spots at The World Games 2025 with gold medal performances.
Rakotoarisoa expressed his joy:
“I’m really happy about this victory because it was a moment of glory. With this win, I’m qualified for The World Games 2025, and I couldn’t be happier. Chengdu is a beautiful city, and the people are extremely welcoming—I can’t wait to be back!”
His compatriot Ramamonjisoa echoed his sentiments after her victory in the women’s final, saying:
“I’m so glad and I thank God because it’s a real accomplishment for me. Competing for Madagascar has been a true honour. The climate has been challenging, but I made it. I had only one month to prepare for this event, and I gave it my all.”
Cambodia emerged victorious in the Pétanque Classic Doubles Mixed Final, edging out Vietnam (silver) and Thailand (bronze) for the gold.
Where to Watch & Competition Schedule
Fans worldwide can re-watch all the action on replay on The World Games Live, the official streaming platform. Highlights and on-demand content are also available.
Today’s medallists are listed below.
Underwater Sports
Freediving Women‘s Dynamic with Fins
- 1. Zsofia Torocsik (HUN) 255.5 – Q TWG 2025
- 2. Kateryna Adurska (UKR) 250.5
- 3. Yasuko Ozeki (JPN) 214.5 – Q TWG 2025
Freediving Men Dynamic with Fins
- 1. Alexey Molchanov (AIN) 300.0 – Q TWG 2025
- 2. Generali (ITA) 283.5 – Q TWG 2025
- 3. Chan Kai-Hsiang (TPE) 255.5
Finswimming Men’s Apnoea 50m
- 1. Justus Moerstedt (GER) 14.25
- 2. Myeongjun Shin (KOR) 14.56
- 3. Niklas Lossner (GER) 14.58
Finswimming Men’s Bi Fins 50m
- 1. Szymon Kropidlowski (POL) 18.80
- 2. Aleksei Fedkin (AIN) 19.13
- 3. Artur Artamonov (UKR) 19.39
Finswimming Women’s Surface 100m
- 1. Diana Sliseva (AIN) 39.04
- 2. Uijin Seo (KOR) 39.43
- 3. Viktoriia Uvarova (UKR) 39.44
Finswimming Women’s Bi Fins 100m
- 1. Dorottya Pernyesz (HUN) and Yevheniia Tymoshenko (UKR) 47.82 - Q TWG 2025
- 3. Zoe Turucz (HUN) 48.46
Finswimming Men’s Surface 200m
- 1. Nandor Kiss (HUN) 1:20.09
- 2. Oleksii Zakharov (UKR) 1:21.07
- 3. Justus Moerstedt (GER) 1:21.18
Finswimming Women’s Surface 400m
- 1. Sofiia Hrechko (UKR) 3:15.77
- 2. Anna Yakovleva (UKR) 3:16.35
- 3. Vlada Markina (AIN) 3:17.42
Finswimming Surface Relay 4x100m Relay
- 1. CMAS 1
- 2. CMAS 4
- 3. CMAS 5
- Boules Sports
Pétanque Precision Shooting – Single Men Final
- 1. Yves Rakotoarisoa (MAD) – Q TWG 2025
- 2. Ratchata Khamdee (THA)
- 3. Thurain Tun Win (MYA)
Pétanque Precision Shooting – Single Women Final
- 1. Mirana Ramamonjisoa (MAD) – Q TWG 2025
- 2. Yu-Hsun Yu (TPE)
- 3. Linlin Yan (CHN)
Pétanque Classic Doubles Mixed Final
- 1. Cambodia
- 2. Vietnam
- 3. Thailand
Life Saving
Men’s 50m Manikin Carry
- Francesco Ippolito (ITA) 28.44
- Fergus Eadie (NZL) 28.71
- Kacper Majchrzak (POL) 29.01
Women’s 50m Manikin Carry
- Helene Giovanelli (ITA) 34.87
- Lucrezia Fabretti (ITA) 35.19
- Anita Garcia Silva (ESP) 35.84
Women’s 100m Manikin Tow with Fins
- Lucrezia Fabretti (ITA) 50.76
- Antia Garcia Silva (ESP 51.34
- Zoe Crawford (NZL) 52.34
Men ‘s 100m Manikin Tow with Fins
- Davide Crermonini (ITA) 50.16
- Marco Plazuelo Jimenez (ESP) 50.57
- Fabio Pezzotti (ITA) 51.05