Record numbers and huge expectations: German team revealed for Rhine-Ruhr 2025

There can no longer be any doubt that this summer is going to be huge: host nation Germany has announced its largest ever team for the biggest multi-sport event to be held in the country for over 50 years.

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For 12 memorable days in July, Team Studi will be going ‘all-in’ for medals in all 18 sports at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games - and the star names on the roster cannot wait.

Front and centre among them is Antonia Kinzel, a 24-year-old student at HS Mannheim who will compete in athletics as the defending FISU Games champion in women’s discus.

"It's just a special feeling to compete in this internationally renowned event in your own country,” Kinzel said.

“The FISU Games offer the chance to meet many top student athletes from all over the world – and the sense of community in Team Studi makes this even more valuable. I want to build on my experiences from two years ago in Chengdu (and) defend my title.”

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Medallists from Paris compete for the German team

Feeling the Team Studi vibes for the first time will be Thomas Reier, a 3x3 wheelchair basketball player who powered Germany to the bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Reier will be helping to shape history again at the Jahrhunderthalle in Bochum next month when Para Sport joins the programme of the world’s biggest multi-sport event for student-athletes.

"I am particularly looking forward as this will be the first time I am representing Germany at the FISU Games,” the University of Cologne student said. “At the same time, 3x3 wheelchair basketball is making its debut on this major platform. Because of that and since these are home Games where my family and friends can support me, the event is the absolute highlight of the year for me."

Team Studi’s representation on the half court will be further emboldened by Elisa Mevius, a leading light of the Oregon Ducks on the United States college 3x3 circuit and a star of the German women's 3x3 basketball team which won gold in Paris last summer. The 21-year-old now wants to repeat this success in her own country.

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Rowing star Alexandra Föster brings Olympic experience with her

Out on the water at the rebuilt Regattabahn in Duisburg, Team Studi’s Alexandra Föster will be bringing her own Olympic experience - and a fresh mindset - to the start line of the women’s rowing events.

“I only have a few competitions this season, making it even cooler to take part in the FISU Games,” she said. “It’s not only in my own country, but also in my own state. I'm looking forward to the atmosphere, which is always special at such multi-sport events.”

With all 305 pieces of the jigsaw now in place, the adh-sports director, Thorsten Hütsch, has set minimum benchmarks for the Team Studi entrants.

“We hope that the athletes will achieve personal bests,” he said. “Specifically, we are aiming to reach the respective quarter-finals or the top eight. Of course, we would also be delighted to see medal successes.”

Tickets for all sports played in the five Host Cities in the Rhine-Ruhr region plus Berlin are now available. To book your seats on the side of Team Studi, click here.