CHENGDU, China—As the curtains fall on the 2025 World Games, Filipino athletes are setting their sights on a stronger showing when the global multisport event heads to Karlsruhe, Germany, in 2029.

With most of the Filipino contingent wrapping up their campaigns, the remaining athletes from the duathlon and powerlifting teams will cap off their stay with Sunday’s closing ceremony at the Chengdu International Horticultural Expo Park. They are scheduled to fly home the following day.

The hour-long ceremony will feature cultural showcases, video highlights from 35 sports and a fireworks display. A symbolic highlight will be the hand over of the World Games flag to Karlsruhe Mayor Frank Mentrup. The German city, which previously hosted the event in 1989, has reportedly allocated €120 million to stage the 2029 edition.

Before the festivities, powerlifter Joyce Reboton will attempt to add to the country’s medal tally in the women’s super heavyweight division at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Centre Gymnasium. Later, the duathlon mixed relay team—comprising Kim Mangrobang, Merry Joy Trupa, Bea Quiambao, Franklin Yee, John Patrick Ciron and Maynard Pecson—returns to action at Xinglong Lake Hubin Arena.

The Philippines has secured four medals in Chengdu: silver medals from Kaila Napolis in women’s jiujitsu and Chezka Centeno in women’s 10-ball billiards, and bronze finishes from Carlos Baylon Jr. in men’s wushu sanda and Aislinn Yap in women’s sambo combat.

The Philippine campaign was backed by the Philippine Olympic Committee, led by President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and the Philippine Sports Commission under Chairman Patrick Gregorio.

JOIN THE IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION

sports.inquirer.net