Key Points

Zhang Hao secured China's first roller sports gold at the Chengdu World Games in an intense speed slalom final against Fu Yu. Chinese Taipei's Liu Chiao-Hsi triumphed in the women's event, while China's Zhu Siyi took silver. The host nation continues to lead the medals table with 31 golds. Two more freestyle skating golds will be awarded on Sunday.

Key Points: Zhang Hao Wins China's First Roller Sports Gold at Chengdu World Games

  • Zhang Hao defeats Fu Yu 2-0 in all-Chinese speed slalom final
  • Reza Lesani of Iran takes bronze in men's event
  • Chinese Taipei's Liu Chiao-Hsi wins women's speed slalom gold
  • China dominates medals table with 31 golds so far
2 min read

World Games 2025: China claims first roller sports gold at Chengdu

China's Zhang Hao claims historic roller sports gold in Chengdu, defeating Fu Yu in an all-Chinese speed slalom final at the World Games.

"I'm very excited and happy to be able to show my normal performance – Zhang Hao"

Chengdu

, Aug 16 (IANS) Zhang Hao secured China's first roller sports gold at the Chengdu World Games, as inline freestyle skating competitions kicked off on Saturday. In an all-Chinese men's speed slalom final, Zhang beat Fu Yu 2-0 to claim the victory, while Reza Lesani of Iran defeated compatriot Amirmohammad Savari Jamalouei to take the bronze.

"I'm very excited and happy to be able to show my normal performance," said Chengdu local Zhang, adding that he felt nervous competing at home.

Chinese Taipei's Liu Chiao-Hsi clinched gold in the women's speed slalom, while China's Zhu Siyi and Wen Jingjing finished second and third, reports Xinhua.

"This is the first time I have taken part in an international competition since I turned 18, and I have tried my best," said Zhu, a silver medalist at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, adding that she would continue to work on her power and stability.

In the speed slalom, athletes must accelerate within a 12-meter distance and then sprint around 20 cones, spaced at 80 centimetres apart. A penalty of 0.2 seconds is incurred for knocking down any cone or missing any interval between the cones.

Roller sports at the Chengdu World Games feature three disciplines - speed skating (road and track), inline freestyle, and inline hockey. Two more freestyle skating golds will be awarded on Sunday.

Hosts China are currently leading the medals table with 53 medals -- 31 gold, 13 silver, and 9 bronze -- with Germany (43 - 15-14-14) in second place and Ukraine (40 - 15-12-13) in third position.

Meanwhile, China capped the climbing competition at the World Games on Saturday by sweeping the men's and women's speed relay finals, finishing the event with five of the six gold medals on offer.

The relay, a new format making its debut at a major international event, pairs two athletes on a team. The second climber starts only after the first hits the timing pad at the top, and the combined time determines the final result. The competition in Chengdu also produced the first men's and women's world records in the discipline.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Shreya B
The speed slalom event sounds so intense! 80cm gaps between cones is crazy tight. Hats off to all athletes who can maintain balance at such high speeds. Zhang Hao made his country proud 🇨🇳
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Aman W
While China's performance is impressive, I can't help but notice how they're winning most golds in sports they're hosting. Makes you wonder about home advantage and judging biases...
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Priya S
The climbing relay format sounds so innovative! Two athletes working together adds a whole new dimension to the sport. Hope we get to see this in Olympics soon 🤞
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Varun X
China's sports system is clearly working for them - 31 golds already! But at what cost? Their athletes train like machines from childhood. India should find a balanced approach to sports development.
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Nisha Z
So happy to see roller sports getting global recognition! Used to love skating as a kid in Bangalore. Maybe this will inspire more skating rinks in Indian cities 🛼

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