Feature: A birthday surprise on green pitch

A surprise birthday celebration for Dutch tug-of-war athlete Vincent Wagenmans brought warmth and friendship to The World Games 2025 in Chengdu.

CHENGDU, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Amidst the fierce competition, sports reveal their true charm through genuine human connections. At the tug of war competition during the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, a sparkling moment brought a heartwarming interlude to the green field.

Under Saturday's scorching sun, athletes were battling for glory, a clash of strength and skill. As a preliminary round concluded, a message reading "Happy Birthday" suddenly appeared on the giant screen, accompanied by familiar music. Staff then called out for Vincent Wagenmans, and the Chengdu World Games mascots, "Shu Bao" and "Jin Zai", were brought to him.

It turned out to be the 48th birthday of Dutch tug-of-war athlete Wagenmans.

The entire crowd joined in, singing the English song. A broad, happy, yet slightly bashful smile spread across the face of the nearly 1.9-meter-tall, strong athlete.

"I was so surprised, completely unexpected!" Wagenmans said in a post-match interview. "Even though the weather was hot, the opponents were strong, and the competition was intense, this birthday surprise made me feel so warm."

Wagenmans and his wife are farmers, working on their farm during the day and training for tug-of-war at night. With a deep enthusiasm for the sport, he has been practicing for 27 years.

For him, tug-of-war is more than just a competitive sport, it's a way of life he loves.

"Our team has artisans, carpenters, construction workers - people of different ages and professions joining in. We train together, we release our energy together, like a big family. It makes me feel very relaxed and cheerful," Wagenmans said.

This is Wagenmans' first time in China, and he has a great impression of Chengdu. "The city has a great environment, lots of delicious food, and the competition venue is fantastic." He said that this World Games journey not only allowed him to experience a high-level competitive atmosphere but also gave him a taste of the Chinese people's warm hospitality and unique cultural charm.

A simple birthday wish and a sincere interaction transcended the results of the competition itself. The warmth and friendship it conveyed were a microcosm of the spirit of tug-of-war.

In this ancient sport, age, profession, and nationality are not barriers. The desire for victory, trust in teammates, and the pure love for the sport bind everyone tightly together.

At this moment, as the Chengdu World Games theme song sings: "I must hold you in my arms / You're always by my side / There will be countless wonders / When we believe in you and I…" ■