(31.07.2025) World University Games
FISU Games 2025: A look back at two inspiring weeks in the Ruhr region
The last two weeks of the largest international sporting event for students - the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games , which took place from July 16 to 27, 2025 on the Rhine and Ruhr rivers and in Berlin - passed by in a flash. Starting with a spectacular opening ceremony in Duisburg, the games ended just as gracefully with an emotional closing ceremony in the same city. In total, around 1.2 million people attended the competitions and cultural events, in which over 9,000 athletes from more than 100 countries competed - a strong symbol of internationality and peaceful competition.
The FISU World University Games are the largest multi-sport event for students worldwide and are organized every two years by the Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU). The 2025 edition was a special highlight: it was the first time that such a large sporting event was held in the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region and in Berlin. Locations such as Bochum, Essen, Mülheim, Hagen, Duisburg and the capital provided the setting for top sporting performances, cultural exchange and personal encounters.
Medal tally and sporting highlights
A total of 234 medals were decided at the FISU Games. Japan dominated the medal table with 79 medals, 34 of which were gold. Germany enjoyed one of its most successful results in the history of the FISU Games with a remarkable 6th place and 40 medals ( 11 of which were gold).
Particularly historic: for the first time ever, a para-sport took place and the German team won gold in the women's 3x3 wheelchair basketball - a historic milestone for Paralympic sport in Germany.
Strong performances from Ruhr-Universität Bochum
Even though the students from Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB ) did not win any medals, they achieved some remarkable placings:
- Simon Reinke achieved 6th place in the 800m freestyle in a strong international field. He was eliminated in the heats of the 400m and 1500m freestyle.
- Joyce Oguama threw herself to an excellent 5th place in the discus - just 36 centimeters behind bronze.
The German men's eight, which was made up of six RUB students (Jasper Angl, Julian Garth, Ben Gebauer, Jannik Metzger, Tom Tewes and Mark Hinrichs), also narrowly missed the podium - they came 4th in the final.
Further placings:
- Tom Tewes and Mark Hinrichs came 5th in the doubles.
- Moritz Küpper won the B final in the double sculls, which meant 7th place overall.
- Nino Toto, RUB tennis player, was eliminated in a hard-fought match in round 1; in the doubles he and Anastasia Simonov also failed in the preliminary round.
More than sport: community, encounters, messages
Ines Lenze, Head of Delegation of the German team "Team Studi" and Head of University Sports Bochum, summed up the atmosphere movingly:
"The FISU Games exceeded all our expectations. It wasn't just about medals, but about people meeting at eye level. The joy in the eyes of the athletes, volunteers and participants is priceless. Moments like these show how much hope and light sport can bring to our world."
The organizers emphasized diversity, sustainability and a strong sense of togetherness. Over 10,000 volunteers made the games possible in the first place - as did numerous universities from NRW, who contributed to the successful implementation with their resources and expertise.
Congratulations!
We congratulate all RUB students and the German team who took part in the FISU Games 2025 on their great achievements and impressive sporting commitment. In the picture gallery we honor some special moments of these unforgettable games.
