The excitement at the Torino 2025 FISU World University Games heightened as various events unfolded, showcasing exceptional talent and determination among student-athletes. In the women’s sprint race, French athlete Margot Ravinel emerged victorious, finishing with a remarkable time of 4:45.80. Her performance overshadowed that of her Spanish teammates, Maria Ordonez Cobacho and Ares Torra, who completed the race in times of 5:04.86 and 5:07.21, respectively. The competitive spirit was palpable, as Ravinel’s triumph added to France’s commendable showing in the event.
On the male side of the sprint races, a historic moment was created by Finn Elias Hösch from Germany, who became the first male competitor to win a ski mountaineering competition at the FISU Games. Hösch’s performance concluded with a time of 3:59.90, a significant achievement that will likely be remembered in the annals of the tournament’s history. He was trailed closely by French athlete Pablo Giner, who finished with a time of 4:00.70, and another German performer, Felix Tobias Gramelsberger, who completed the race in 4:12.96. These results underscored the growing competitiveness in the sport of ski mountaineering and highlighted the athletic prowess across European countries.
As the day progressed, the focus shifted towards the figure skating competitions taking place at the Palavela arena. The men’s short program drew immense attention, primarily due to Japanese superstar Yuma Kagiyama, who delivered an extraordinary routine. Kagiyama’s flawless performance earned him a season-best score of 106.82 points. This score positioned him firmly ahead of his competitors with a 10-point lead as he approached the free skating final scheduled for January 18. Notably, Kagiyama, a dedicated student at Chukyo University, continued to build on his recent successes, including a silver medal achievement at the 2024 World Championships and a bronze medal at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. His triumphs have allowed him to bask in glory, having most recently claimed gold at the 2024–25 ISU Grand Prix in Helsinki, along with winning his first All-Japan Championship title in December.
As Day 5 of the Torino 2025 FISU World University Games drew to a close, the event not only celebrated remarkable athletic accomplishments but also emphasized the spirit of innovation and the arrival of new sports on the international scene. The Games are indeed serving as a platform where athletes showcase their skills, representing their universities and countries with pride.
In conjunction with the FISU World Conference, the second day of the Sprint Generation event, which focused on “Sport, Risk, Innovation, and Technology,” showcased the culmination of the #TO25Brainstorm Project. This unique initiative aimed to bring together emerging “athletes of the mind,” uniting students from four prominent Piemonte universities: the University of Torino, the Politecnico di Torino, the University of Eastern Piedmont, and the University of Gastronomic Sciences. The initiative focused on addressing critical scientific and societal topics, including climate change, energy sustainability, social cohesion, and modern work models. The Torino Chamber of Commerce played a pivotal role in supporting this initiative by providing cash prizes for the top three winning teams.
The grand prize of €40,000 was awarded to a team named Bluefin Tuna Ecology At Risk. Their groundbreaking study outlined the threats of extinction facing the bluefin tuna species and presented proposals for preventing further ecological damage. Following closely, the runner-up team, DemocrAI, proposed an innovative platform aimed at enhancing democratic understanding across multiple European nations, securing a €20,000 prize to continue their valuable work. Rounding out the winners was Eolos 2 Bios – Green Fit AI, who received €12,000 for their project aimed at helping customers choose sports clothing and equipment based on sustainability criteria.
Overall, the day’s events at the Torino 2025 FISU World University Games highlighted not just athletic alongside intellectual achievements but also underscored a commitment towards sustainability and social responsibility among young leaders.
