When the anchor bursts through the finish line,
When cheers echo off the stadium,
When the moment the basketball enters the net is forever frozen
— throughout 2025, Chinese and international students at International Campus, Zhejiang University compiled an extraordinary record of athletic achievements: a breakthrough third place in the Zhejiang University Comprehensive Sports Meet (Undergraduate Division) and second in the Track and Field Games; defending championship titles in the University "Sanhao Cup" Basketball (Undergraduate Men's) and Swimming competitions; with campus students contributing as Zhejiang University team members to win the men's 500m eight with coxswain event at the 9th National University Rowing Championships...
"No education without sports." These gleaming results crystallize not only individual dedication and sweat, but also reflect a systematic support framework, a uniquely inclusive campus culture, and the unifying power of sports to connect youth across borders.
Organized Athletics: From "One Game Plan" to "An Integrated Network"
"One unified game plan" guides every facet of sports development at International Campus. Led by campus administration, this approach coordinates academic units and functional departments to provide full-chain support for physical education, competition organization, and activity promotion. Frameworks like the International Campus Student Sports Work Implementation Plan (Trial) clarify responsibilities and mechanisms, while specialized team registrations and regular meetings ensure structured progress. The Student Affairs and Education & Teaching Departments jointly established the International Campus Student Sports Activity List and Extracurricular Exercise Counting Rules, integrating physical activity into academic assessment to further motivate participation.
This network extends to staffing and organization. Dedicated faculty oversee sports programming, supported by the Arts and Sports Center of student organizations and part-time student cadres from the Youth League Committee. "The campus has built a solid support system," notes Lu Qianru, head of the Student Union's Arts and Sports Center. "Our center provides comprehensive operational and logistical support, enabling teams to train with focus and prepare with confidence."
The campus now sustains 18 student-athlete teams comprising both Chinese and international members. Through signature events like the "Tidal Surge International" (潮涌国际) Faculty-Student Sports Meet, the "Pioneer Cup" (开拓者杯) tournament series, and "Fluorescent Night Runs," (荧光夜跑) an ethos of "participation for all, enjoyment for all" thrives. The campus also actively hosts inter-university competitions and friendly matches, using sport to build community and sharpen skills. Systems, organization, teams, and activities interconnect—weaving an athletic development network that embraces every student throughout their campus journey.
Substantive Support: Where Passion Meets Opportunity
"Zero-barrier" access to premium facilities is the cornerstone of International Campus's vibrant sports culture. "We have first-rate training venues available completely free for students," says tennis team member Xiong Denghan. "This high-spec, zero-cost environment removes any hesitation about getting involved—everyone can find a sport they love." The campus offers a wide range of indoor and outdoor facilities, including football pitches, basketball courts, tennis and squash courts, badminton areas, table tennis facilities, a swimming pool, and fitness studios. Additionally, each residential college features gyms, multi-game rooms, and specialized spaces for fencing and archery, ensuring that students can access comprehensive sports amenities within their living communities.
Resource security enables athletes to train without distractions. Annual baseline funding supports the operations of each team, supplemented by special awards for competition participation and achievements. High-profile events may also receive additional support on a case-by-case basis. "The support from the campus for our teams is incredibly strong," notes Wu Bohan, a Belgian student on the badminton team. "Everything, from updated equipment to travel and accommodation for competitions, is arranged seamlessly, allowing us to focus entirely on training and collective growth."
Strategic partnerships with local organizations create opportunities for professional growth. By collaborating with Haining's municipal sports resources—such as the city shooting range and the water sports base—and inviting professional coaches for specialized training, the campus enhances the development of student-athletes. "Before the 2025 University Sports Meet," recalls Chen Yiwen, a part-time student leader, "the campus arranged intensive coaching sessions with experienced trainers from Haining Sports School, providing tailored guidance on techniques and strategies." This dual-track model of combining "on-campus foundation building with off-campus professional enhancement" leads to significant improvements in athletic performance.
Diversity and Inclusion: Sports as a Cross-Cultural Bridge
At International Campus, sports transcend mere activity—becoming a shared language needing no translation, a sturdy bridge across cultural divides.
Communication can go beyond word. Badminton player Wu Bohan explains, "During tactical discussions, we combine English, basic Chinese, and gestures. It sometimes leads to laughter, but our efforts to understand each other bring us closer through a shared purpose." Clementius Kenneth, a member of an Indonesian basketball team, agrees: "Basketball itself is our common language. Key terms, signals, and eye contact are all we need."
Trust can cross national boundaries. Swimmer Gu Zhaoyu recalls a pivotal moment during the 2025 "Sanhao Cup" relay: facing a temporary setback, international student Dave encouraged teammates in hesitant Chinese, then meticulously refined their relay techniques poolside. "That trust beyond language reignited our fighting spirit—we rallied to clinch the championship."
Diverse backgrounds enrich sporting culture. "Our team includes students from China, Indonesia, the U.S., and more," observes Clementius Kenneth. "Each person contributes unique strengths." Such intercultural interaction fosters nuanced understanding and teamwork abilities that extend far beyond the arena.
More Than a Game
Here, sports are never just sports. They manage academic pressure by making "efficiency" the guiding principle for student-athletes. Gu Zhaoyu points out that teachers tailor training schedules to accommodate academic commitments, effectively allowing study and sport to support each other. They also foster cross-cultural understanding; on the field, students from different nations learn to communicate through sport, building trust that transcends differences. Additionally, they promote holistic education, helping students develop not only physically but also in perseverance, collaboration, and responsibility. As multiple interviewees stated, "For us, sports have become more than just games; they serve as a cultural bridge, connecting hearts, fostering understanding, and unifying strength."
This bridge allows every International Campus student to grow through movement, become their better selves through inclusiveness, and meet future challenges with courage.
2025 Awards Won by International Campus Student Groups at University Level and Above (Top 8)
Zhejiang University Sports Meet (Undergraduate Division), Sportsmanship Award
Zhejiang University Faculty-Student Aerobics and Dance Competition, First Prize
Zhejiang University "Sanhao Cup" Basketball Competition (Undergraduate Men's), First Place
Zhejiang University "Sanhao Cup" Swimming Competition, First Place
Zhejiang University "College Cup" Ultimate Frisbee Competition, First Place
Zhejiang University "Sanhao Cup" Tennis Competition (Undergraduate), Second Place
Zhejiang University Sports Meet (Undergraduate Division), Second Place
Zhejiang University "Sanhao Cup" Table Tennis Competition (Undergraduate), Third Place
Zhejiang University Annual Comprehensive Sports Meet (Undergraduate Division), Third Place
Zhejiang University "Sanhao Cup" Frisbee Competition, Third Place
Zhejiang University "Sanhao Cup" Football Competition, Fourth Place
Zhejiang University "Sanhao Cup" Bodybuilding Competition, Fifth Place
Zhejiang University Sports Meet, Fifth Place
Zhejiang University "Sanhao Cup" Volleyball Competition (Women's), Sixth Place
Zhejiang University "Sanhao Cup" Badminton Competition (Undergraduate), Seventh Place
2025 Individual Student Awards Won by International Campus at University Level and Above (Top 3)
9th National University Rowing Championships Men's 500m Eight with Coxswain Champion: Liang Mingde, Weng Zhuofan
Zhejiang University "Sanhao Cup" Table Tennis Competition (Undergraduate):
Men's Singles First: Chen Weicheng
Women's Singles Second: Gao Mingyan
Zhejiang University "Sanhao Cup" Tennis Competition
Men's Doubles First: Jiang Zhizhen, Achirawat Sangsuwan
Team First: Jiang Zhizhen, Xiong Denghan, Zhang Panqi, Achirawat Sangsuwan, Gabriele Amelia Adjiputro
Mixed Doubles First: Xiong Denghan, Zhang Panqi
Zhejiang University "Sanhao Cup" Swimming Competition
4x50m Mixed Medley Relay First: Liu Zhuohan, Gu Zhaoyu, Liu Zimo, DAVE GUNAWAN ROSSNI
4x50m Breaststroke Relay Second: Liu Zimo, DAVE GUNAWAN ROSSNI, Li Sihan, Liang Mingde
4x50m Freestyle Relay Second: Liu Zhuohan, Gu Zhaoyu, Liu Zimo, DAVE GUNAWAN ROSSNI
Men's 100m Breaststroke Second: Liu Zimo
Men's 200m Individual Medley Second: DAVE GUNAWAN ROSSNI
Men's 50m Breaststroke Third: Liu Zimo
Men's 50m Breaststroke Kick Third: Gu Zhaoyu
Men's 50m Backstroke Third: DAVE GUNAWAN ROSSNI
Men's 50m Freestyle Kick Second: Wang Ruijia
Women's 100m Freestyle Second: Liu Zhuohan
Women's 50m Butterfly Second: Liu Zhuohan
2025 Zhejiang University Sports Meet
Undergraduate Women's 100m First: Cen Xiyue
Undergraduate Men's Shot Put Third: Zhou You
Undergraduate Men's 110m Hurdles Third: Li Xiaoman
Undergraduate Men's 4x100m Relay Second: Chen Ruizhe, Miao Rongze, Xie Kerui, Wei Chujian
Undergraduate Men's 400m Second: Wei Chujian
Undergraduate Men's 400m Hurdles Second: Li Xiaoman
Undergraduate Men's 400m Hurdles Third: Ying Yilu
Undergraduate Men's 5000m Second: Zhang Yufeng
Undergraduate Men's Heptathlon Third: Cao Yuming
Undergraduate Men's Discus Throw Third: Chen Yiwen
Undergraduate Women's 200m Second: Cen Xiyue
Undergraduate Women's 4x100m Relay Third: Yuan Qiyue, Zou Siqi, Jin Chenxi, Xiao Jimin
Undergraduate Women's 4x400m Relay Third: Jin Chenxi, Yuan Qiyue, Dong Feiyang, Jin Yuhan
Undergraduate Women's 400m Third: Yuan Qiyue
Undergraduate Women's High Jump Third: Zhang Zimo
Undergraduate Women's Long Jump First: Li Yitian
Graduate Women's Long Jump Third: Lu Qianru
2025 Chaocheng Fencing Open & ZJU International Campus Fencing Invitational
Women's Foil First: Ding Yu
Women's Foil Second: Liao Yuelin
Men's Epee First: Lu Panxin
Men's Epee Second: Luo Zhengxing
Men's Epee Third: Ding Zhengyang, Zhang Jing
Epee Team First: Liao Yuelin, Luo Zhengxing, Lu Panxin
Epee Team Second: Ding Yu, Ding Zhengyang
(Photography: Sports teams on the international campus; Article: LI Yinan, ZHU Bei; Editing: CHEN Nuo; Editing in Charge: LI Yinan; Reviewer: YANG Yi, WU Xing; Final Review: QU Haidong)