China's team of five university students triumphed in aerobic gymnastics at the Chengdu World Games on Friday, securing the group gold medal with a dramatic firefighter-themed performance that captivated audiences at Dong'an Lake Sports Park.
The squad – featuring Feng Lei, Fan Siwei, Liang Wenjie, Teng Hao, and Xu Tong – scored 20.265 points in their final routine, outperforming Italy (19.615) and Romania (19.136). Their victory followed a dominant qualification round where they led the six-team field.
Their winning performance combined athletic precision with storytelling, set to urgent music depicting firefighters rescuing a girl from flames. Emotional scenes followed as the team embraced under the national flag, with 23-year-old Feng Lei wiping away tears of joy.
"This gold represents years of sacrifice and teamwork," Feng told reporters. Teammate Fan Siwei called it his "best birthday gift," while all members emphasized their shared passion for the sport's blend of "strength, flexibility, and skill."
Italy's silver-medal routine paid homage to Chinese culture through traditional music and kung fu elements. "We wanted to honor our hosts," said team member David Nacci, praising Chengdu's hospitality and the event's cultural exchange opportunities.
