As the International Canoe Federation celebrates the 100-days-to-go milestone for The World Games 2025 Chengdu, here is all you need to know about Dragon Boat, Canoe Marathon, and Canoe Polo at the multi-sport event.
Dragon Boat
When: August 9-10
What: 10-seater mixed (2000m, 500m, 200m); 8-seater open (2000m, 500m, 200m)
Where: Xinglong Lake
A match made in heaven. What better place to host races that are Chinese origin than in China? After invitational appearances in 2005 in Duisburg, Germany and the 2009 edition in Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei, the discipline will debut as a medal event in Chengdu. For all the fans, this will be a second celebration of the traditional race, with China set to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival in May.
“The 12 Dragon Boat teams qualified for The World Games 2025 are excited to say that they are ready today for the competitions to be held after 100 days. All the teams have finalised their formation and undergone in-depth training in the last months. They will challenge themselves through participating in races in the coming months, especially during the Dragon Boat Festival which is a day to commemorate the great poet Qu Yuan. More than a hundred competitions will be held in the world on the same day. Please cheer on the dragons and look forward to seeing you in Xinglong Lake, Chengdu,” ICF Dragon Boat Committee Chair Dr Wai-Hung Luk said.
Canoe Marathon
When: August 9-10
What: K1 Long Distance (men and women); K1 Short Distance (men and women)
Where: Xinglong Lake
Be it the ICF Hangzhou Super Cup or The World Games, disciplines uniting is always a cause for celebration. Happening simultaneously at Xinglong Lake, the marathon paddlers will combine flatware endurance skills, with portages set to add extra excitement. After an invitational appearance in Cali in 2013, medals were awarded for the first time in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, in 2022. For many of them, Chengdu is about defending their precious titles.
“Chengdu awaits — only 100 days to forge strength and precision. Marathoners will paddle from August 9 to 10 for medals, but also for the legacy of the discipline. Will Andrew James Birkett, Vanda Kiszli and Mads Brandt Pedersen who dominated at The World Games 2022 in Birmingham repeat their success or will new stars take the honours? Whatever it may be, The World Games will be a spectacle! I wish all the athletes good luck. See you all in the land of Pandas,” ICF Canoe Marathon Committee Chair Ruud Heijselaar said.
Canoe Polo
When: August 13-16
What: Team (men and women)
Where: Jianyang Cultural and Sports Centre Natatorium
Paddling, ball-handling skills and contact. Blockbuster. Last season saw China host two important tournaments for Canoe Polo starting with the Super Cup in Hangzhou followed by the 2024 ICF Canoe Polo World Championships in Deqing, of which memories are still fresh. Adding to the frenzy and legacy, Chengdu will be the discipline’s sixth appearance at The World Games since debuting as a medal event in Duisburg in 2005. The team game symbolises the community spirit in the fraternity where every member is crucial.
“As we reach the final 100 days before The World Games, on behalf of the ICF Canoe Polo Committee, I would like to thank Eva Lindmark - ICF Technical Delegate for the Games for all she has done and is doing to ensure all necessary aspects for Canoe Polo are ready and I hope all the teams’ build-up preparations and training goes to plan. All officials and referees have now accepted their invitations and in summary ‘so far so good - looking forward to Chengdu’.” ICF Canoe Polo Committee Chair Greg Smale said.
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