The freediving competition at the 2025 World Games concluded on Aug 11, with the Chinese team winning four gold medals—all from the para freediving events.
Para freediving, one of the two new para sports added to this year's World Games, requires athletes to swim back and forth in a pool on a single breath, with the farthest distance determining the winner.
"Our hope is that the World Games stage will help more people learn about and fall in love with this sport," said Dong Fanchuang, coach of China's para freediving team.
On Aug 10, 18-year-old Chinese athlete Long Dengxi won gold in the men's dynamic without fins - FFS1-FFS2 category, covering 134.5 meters. The following day, he secured gold in the men's dynamic with fins –
FFS1-FFS2 category with a distance of 181.5 meters, making him a double champion at this year's World Games.
Para athletes face unique challenges, as varying degrees of disability impact performance, said Zhao Lei, head coach of China's national freediving team. "Despite missing one arm, Long achieved 181.5 meters today, and his best training distance is 214 meters—a remarkable result even for able-bodied athletes."
Long said he will continue to compete in the future, with the goal of breaking his own training record.
On Aug 10, 15-year-old Huang Shiyu won gold in the women's dynamic with fins - FFS1-FFS2 category with a distance of 149.5 meters. She said that training in this sport not only hones technique but also shapes character.
On Aug 11, Huang Jingqiu secured gold in the women's dynamic without fins - FFS1-FFS2 category with a distance of 91 meters. After failing to record a result in another event the previous day, her strategy for the final was "playing it safe." "I first tried para freediving at the end of 2024 and had just completed 159 days of intensive training before the competition. When I surfaced today, I was worried I hadn't done well—but I made it!" she said.
According to team coach Lu Junhao, para freediving carries a powerful message: "Whether in sports or in life, we all need the spirit of breaking through limits to keep moving forward."
Chen Zhi, deputy director of the sports competition and anti-doping department of the World Games 2025 Chengdu Executive Committee, noted that this is the second time para events have been included in the World Games. He said that the number of events and participants exceeded the previous edition, actively promoting inclusiveness in sports, enriching the scope of the World Games, and providing para athletes with an international stage to showcase their skills—embodying the concept that sports know no boundaries, and everyone can participate.