University of Adelaide Students Shine at Chengdu 2023 World University Games

It has been an exciting journey for University of Adelaide (UoA) students Harrison Bagley and Lachlan Davis. They've recently had the chance to compete on the world stage and fulfill a childhood dream by representing their country at the prestigious Chengdu 2023 FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, China

The Games take place every two years with different countries hosting the event, more than 10,000 student-athletes and officials from over 150 countries competed at this year’s event from July 28 to August 8, 2023.

Harrison Bagley is a UoA Engineering and Computer Science student and an AU Athletics Club member. He competed in the half marathon and said the complete event experience was insane, and with so many athletes competing from that many countries, it had an Olympic-type feel to it.

“There was a great atmosphere with so many local spectators at every sporting event, including the half marathon. I also had great support from team members and coaches cheering me on through different parts of the race and passing drinks and gels to me during the race which helped greatly”. Harrison said.

“The opening ceremony was super impressive and had lots of fireworks, performances and an athlete walk on for each country. Chengdu had put a lot of effort into the games, and it was advertised everywhere in the city as you drove around.”

Whilst he had his challenges during the half marathon, Harrison said the atmosphere whilst competing helped get him over the finish line.

“The event went well. I had a stress fracture in my calcaneus leading into the event, so I had to modify my training to be predominantly cross-training to get myself to the start line,” Harrison explained.

“That posed a bit of a challenge, but I was able to get to the start line in good shape. It was also very hot and humid conditions, which posed another challenge. I had to do lots of sauna and heat training in the weeks leading up to the event to try and acclimatise, but it remained a challenge for myself and others.”

“Overall, I raced reasonably well. I came 28th and was able to hold relatively consistent km splits which I was pleased with given my lead into the race.”

The opening ceremony of the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, July 28, 2023. Image credit: Eurosport.

Lachlan Davis, who is studying a Bachelor of Commerce at the UoA, is an accomplished gymnast and is an Australian National Squad team member, an Adelaide University (AU) Gymnastics Club member and was recently a worthy recipient of a prestigious 2023 UoA Sports Scholarship.

Lachlan competed in artistic gymnastics which included the pommel horse, vault, and floor exercises. He agreed with Harrison and said the buzz of the event was incredible and it was an honour to represent his country and compete against the best in the world.

Lachlan was one of five gymnasts selected to compete for Australia and finished 15th out of 85 competitors.

He said the experience had motivated him to work even harder to one day represent his country at the Olympics or Commonwealth Games.

“I was delighted to finish where I did and it was a really cool experience and I definitely met my goals. It gives you a bit of a feel about what it would be like to be on the world’s biggest stage like the Olympics or Commonwealth Games and it’s motivated me to push for that dream,” Lachlan reflected.

“Competing against World and Olympic champions was a huge buzz, particularly as one of the younger Aussie boys in the team. It was amazing to represent country and be on the big stage, I loved it and it was such an honour to be up against the best in the world and show the world where Australia is at with gymnastics."

The 2023 edition of the Games were due to be held in 2021 but were rescheduled due to Covid-19. The Games function as a key steppingstone for emerging young athletes aiming for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The next Games will be held from July 16-27, 2025, in Germany with the hosting cities of Bochum, Duisburg, Düsseldorf, Essen and Mühlheim an der Ruhr.