Daily Blog Day 4: Sport, Science and Solidarity

The sporting competitions at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games are in full swing. From Duisburg to Berlin, top-level sport is thrilling audiences and creating moments of great emotion. One particular highlight at the moment is the 3x3 wheelchair basketball tournament taking place at the Jahrhunderthalle in Bochum. These matches are not only filling the stands, but also bringing a very special spirit to the city – full of team spirit, inclusion, and electrifying energy.

The sporting competitions of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games are in full swing. From Duisburg to Berlin, world-class sport is captivating spectators and stirring great emotions. A current highlight is the 3x3 wheelchair basketball tournament at the Jahrhunderthalle in Bochum. These games are not only drawing large crowds but are also bringing a unique spirit to the city – full of team spirit, inclusion, and infectious energy.

While rhythmic gymnastics is already drawing to a close – set to be the first sport to finish tomorrow – the days ahead promise more excitement. Athletics will get underway in Bochum, and beach volleyball in Duisburg is also eagerly awaited by fans.

Meanwhile, the RUHR GAMES have entered their second day. Around the Jahrhunderthalle, a vibrant programme is attracting visitors – with workshops, hands-on activities, and a dedicated Girls’ Day. The combination of sport, youth culture, and community is proving a real success – especially among families and young people from the region.

So far, 23 medal events have taken place across 12 active sports in the six host cities. Italy’s Aurora Grandis claimed gold in the women’s foil individual competition, while Republic of Korea took top honours in the men’s poomsae team event.

There was also reason to celebrate for the German team: in Berlin’s SSE venue, Moritz Wesemann won gold in the 3-metre springboard diving event. “I expected to fight for a medal – but not that it would be gold,” said the delighted champion after his victory.

In volleyball, the day brought mixed results for the German teams: while the men suffered a 0–3 loss to Italy, the women topped their group with a commanding 3–0 win over People‘s Republic of China. Hannah Kohn summed it up: “We wanted to finish first in the group and we gave it everything today.” She plans to cheer on her brother Simon, who is still fighting for progression with the men’s team, in their upcoming match against Republic of Korea.

Away from the courts and pools, the second day of the FISU World Conference also took place in Bochum. With engaging keynotes, interactive workshops, and a conference dinner in a unique setting, it offered meaningful dialogue at the intersection of sport, academia, and society.

Today’s guest contribution comes from Professor Dr Andreas Löschel, who delivered a keynote speech at the conference and shared exclusive insights on sustainability and environmental responsibility in the university context.

The FISU World Conference is not your typical academic event. It brings together researchers, students and student-athletes, sports managers and organisations, and members of the FISU Family. I was therefore very excited about the event and happy to deliver the keynote speech on “Ecological Sustainability on Campus” on Friday.

Sustainable universities play a vital role in shaping the future. They develop solutions for global challenges and educate the next generation of changemakers. They take responsibility for addressing sustainability challenges in the built environment, food systems, procurement, mobility, energy use, waste management, and more. Their impact reaches beyond the campus as they engage with politics, businesses, and civil society.

It was a pleasure to share insights from my own research on decarbonization pathways for Ruhr University Bochum and to present our sustainability strategy Sustainable RUB 2030, which sets out 20 ambitious goals across the areas of governance, teaching, research, knowledge transfer, community engagement, and communication. Especially rewarding was the subsequent discussion with conference participants, who brought together a wide range of perspectives from the world of university sports.

Of course, I also took the opportunity to stop by the 3x3 basketball tournament taking place right next door at the Jahrhunderthalle. As a former basketball player, I am a big fan of this sport, especially since the German women’s team won gold in the last Olympics, and Sonja Greinacher, one of the flag bearers at the wonderful opening FISU opening ceremony, studied at Ruhr University Bochum.

My last stop of the day was the Grugahalle in Essen. This venue hosts not only FISU competitions in fencing, judo, taekwondo, table tennis, artistic gymnastics, and rhythmic gymnastics during the FISU Games. Over the coming days, we will conduct also a study on sustainable food choices, aiming to understand how financial incentives influence these choices. Probably I might be even able to share results at the next FISU World Congress in 2027 in Chungcheong.

Key decisions are set to be made today across multiple sports: with 21 medal events scheduled in diving, fencing, rhythmic gymnastics, swimming, and taekwondo – including seven medals in the pool and six on the rhythmic gymnastics floor.

But the action goes far beyond the finals: in tennis, volleyball, water polo, table tennis, badminton, basketball, 3x3 basketball and wheelchair basketball, athletes continue their battle for a spot in the knockout rounds. As competition heats up on the courts, mats and tracks, the RUHR GAMES enter their third day – offering a vibrant mix of sport, culture and youth participation around Bochum’s Jahrhunderthalle. Another highlight: the final day of the FISU World Conference. The “Meet the Experts” format will feature Karla Borger and Sarah Voss – two outstanding athletes who are not only champions in their disciplines but also strong voices on societal issues. A unique opportunity for dialogue, motivation and inspiration.

Whether on the podium, in the water or on the pitch – today is set to deliver many unforgettable moments.

Fotocredits: © Robert Hoernig