At the World Games 2025 in Chengdu, Britain’s tug of war team claimed gold on the grass field, showcasing skill, unity, and tradition.
On the grass field of the World Games 2025 Chengdu, one object captured everyone’s attention — a hemp rope, 35 meters long and 12.5 centimetres in circumference. Athletes gripped it tightly, feet digging into the turf, as the crowd watched the centre mark inch from one side to the other.
More Than Just Pulling
Tug of war has been part of the World Games since the very first edition in 1981. Unlike the common hard-ground version, the event here takes place outdoors on natural grass. High-level teams function as a single entity. Every pull must go in the same direction, and every move must be perfectly timed.
In the men’s outdoor 640 kg final, British veteran Richard John Keightley watched his teammates pull in unison. The centre mark on the rope shifted slowly toward their side. They defeated Switzerland to win the gold medal. Keightley has been involved in tug of war for 54 years. His eyes lit up as he saw the familiar rhythm of shoulders rising and falling together.
A Rope That Connects People
Keightley’s team brings together members from different professions, united by their love for the sport. Although he is no longer competing, he continues to handle logistics and train younger athletes, passing down the techniques he has learned over the decades. Behind this dedication lies a shared memory that spans generations. For Stefan Heimann, coach of the German team, the rope represents more than competition. “The centre mark may move, but our hands are always on the same rope,” he said.
Beyond winning or losing, the rope becomes a bridge — soft yet strong — connecting people of different skin colours, jobs, and languages. Through sport, they share the same passion and the same spirit of unity.
Additional reporting by CNS.
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