Chengdu Launches Historic First TWG Torch Relay

On Saturday 26 July, the Torch Relay for The World Games (TWG) 2025 Chengdu was held across Chengdu, Deyang and Meishan in Sichuan Province.  

 

The flame lighting ceremony at the Sanxingdui Museum

 

As the first-ever Torch Relay in the history of TWG, this event marked the spectacular opening chapter of TWG 2025 and served as a significant platform to showcase culture, friendship and unity.  

 

At approximately 08:30, the flame lighting ceremony and the official launch of the Torch Relay took place at the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang. The first torchbearer, Huang Zhangjiayang—a Chengdu-born gold medalist in group all-around rhythmic gymnastics at the Paris Olympics—raised the torch “Zhumeng”, initiating the relay journey undertaken by 120 torchbearers.

 

The first torchbearer Huang Zhangjiayang

 

The roster of torchbearers included not only renowned Chinese champions such as Ma Long and Zou Jingyuan, but also celebrated figures like internationally acclaimed influencer Li Ziqi, Jackie Chan, the first Chinese in history to receive an Honorary Oscar, and hero pilot Liu Chuanjian. International representatives, including Chair of the IWGA Athletes Committee Sandra Sánchez and Marcel Hassemeier, one of TWG Greatest Athletes of All Time, joined the relay, alongside a group of hidden gems—individuals from all walks of life who quietly make a difference through their service and dedication to others.  

 

  

 

“I’m really looking forward to seeing my logo and also enjoying my time running with the other 119 torchbearers. I think it’s going to be a very significant time in our history and certainly from my personal point of view, a magical moment,” said John Fairley, designer for the TWG 2025 logo.

 

Interview with Sandra Sánchez

 

Spanning a single day, the Torch Relay connected six legs: the Sanxingdui Museum, the Jinsha Site Museum, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the Wuhou Shrine Museum, the San Su Shrine Museum and Xinglong Lake Wetland Park.  

 

Edited by Liu Jun

Proofread by Huang Shuting

Reviewed by Lei Lei