A Medal That "Opens" Hearts: Medal Design for TWG 2025 Chengdu Unveiled
On 19 June, the medal of TWG 2025 Chengdu design was officially unveiled. The medal, whose name is "Zhuguang", is designed to pay tribute to athletes' pursuit of sporting excellence and promote the idea of sharing.
The name of the medal literally means "Bamboo Light" and is pronounced the same as "Chasing Light" in Chinese. Being not only a well-deserved reward for the medallists, it is also a gift of shared joy, an ode to the athletes' tireless sweat as well as the wholehearted support behind every victory.
Using Cultural Heritage Elements to Salutes Athletic Excellence
The design of "Zhuguang" is inspired by Chinese profound cultural heritage and the host city Chengdu's immense charm. On the front of the medal, the IWGA logo looks striking in the middle, encircled by the event's name in English and Chinese. Being seamlessly integrated into the design, the Sun and Immortal Birds Gold Ornament intertwines with flowing ridges that subtly trace the city silhouette, thus creating a radiant layered effect at the base. Such a graphic design highlights the profoundness of Chinese civilisation and Bashu culture, as well as great sportsmanship that is meant to prevail.
TWG 2025 Chengdu logo appears in the middle of the back side of the medal. The design is inspired by bamboo, a Chinese cultural emblem of resilience and integrity. The bamboo joints and leaves embody athletes' relentless pursuit of excellence, while the overall silhouette of the giant panda "Shu Bao" reflects Chengdu's lofty aspiration to foster global peace and friendship through sports.
Innovative Craftsmanship Helps Share Triumphant Moments
The most striking feature of "Zhuguang" lies in its ingenious structure, bringing the concept of sharing to life. With a gentle leftward flip of the medal's front, a unique metal badge is revealed: one side features the lively golden snub-nosed monkey "Jin Zai", while the other showcases TWG 2025 Chengdu logo encircled by the Golden Sun Birds motif.
This dual-sided badge can be worn as a detached keepsake, or serve as an accessary to a necklace. The badge creates an opportunity for those medallists to share their joy of victory, enabling more people to feel the multifaceted manifestations of Chinese modernisation. More importantly, the badge is designed to pay tribute to those unsung heroes, whose unwavering support is crucial to these medallists.
At the very centre of the medal's interior, the hibiscus—Chengdu's city flower—blooms in full splendor. The hibiscus flower, bearing a symbolic meaning of "deep friendship", is testimony to the close friendship that has been forged through sports. The flower also symbolises the booming development of China's sports undertaking.
Subtle Details Illuminate Cultural Narratives
With its design concept highlighting the idea of sharing and paying tribute to sportsmanship, the metal badge itself carries a green legacy, crafted from recycled metals sourced from scrapped vehicles in Longquanyi District, the "auto city" of Chengdu.
This eco-conscious practice reflects Chengdu's green development commitment, aligning perfectly with its "Distinctive Parks, Thriving Enterprises" vision, where retired industrial materials are revitalised, new economic foundations are laid, and urban sustainability is strengthened through circular systems. This multi-dimensional implementation brings the "sharing" philosophy to life in its fullest expression.
In addition to medal design, the ribbon design displays equally exquisite craftsmanship, incorporating traditional Chinese cultural treasures including the Golden Sun Birds and the Golden Mask artifacts from Sanxingdui Site, as well as Chengdu's iconic hibiscus floral emblem. Notably, the IWGA and TWG 2025 Chengdu logos are embellished with Shu embroidery, a national intangible cultural heritage, thus showcasing China's artisanal brilliance to the world.
TWG 2025 Chengdu will take place from 7 to 17 August (with Softball and Floorball commencing a day earlier), featuring 34 sports and 60 disciplines. In just 50 days, elite athletes from across the globe will gather in the Land of Abundance. Let us all anticipate this celebration where competition becomes the medium for athletic excellence, cultural exchange, and lasting friendship! May every athlete's journey of "Chasing Light" be illuminated by the radiant glow of "Zhuguang". May every drop of sweat shed in dedication and every show of steadfast support be celebrated when victory is shared!
