First WUC Rowing held outside Europe comes to successful close in Shanghai

The ecstasy – and exhaustion – was readily apparent upon the double scull partners from Hungary and Italy during the World University Rowing Championship in Shanghai over the weekend

SHANGHAI – When the fifteenth edition of the FISU World University Rowing Championship opened in the Chinese metropolis, it marked the first time in the championship’s history that it took place outside of Europe.

It’s fitting that for the first edition outside this continent since its beginning in Milan, Italy in 1984, that the World University Rowing Championship would head to Asia as the Chinese delegation won their first ever gold of WUC Rowing in 2010 – and since then the sport has only grown in popularity and prominence in Asia. Not surprisingly, this three-day-competition attracted 397 student-athletes to Shanghai Water Sport Centre, the highest number of participants in the event’s 34-year-history.

After tasting gold in Szeged, Hungary in 2010, the hosts looked forward to more medals this time. After the first 2 days, Chinese rowers entered 12 finals of 16 disciplines, which proved the development of rowing in the past a few years.

 Victory for the Netherlands women’s quartet in Shanghai

From the birthplace of modern competitive rowing, Great Britain team dominated the final day. They won six gold and one silver, with Italy following on the medal list with three gold, three silver and five bronze. The host ranked the third by earning two gold, two silver and one bronze.

Additional to the competition, the athletes enjoyed the culture event by visiting Zhujiajiao, a traditional tourism town near the Shanghai City. The town with a river network left a deep impression on the international guests as the athletes frequently referred to the visit as the “Venice of the East.” 

The next WUC Rowing will head to the Croatia’s northwestern capital city of Zagreb in 2020 as competitiors will race on the Sava River.

Final Results from the 2018 FISU World University Rowing Championship

• Day 1 Results

• Day 2 Results

• Day 3 Results