Kunshan, China
The 2025 DKU Athletics Awards Ceremony was held at the CCT Theater on April 29, celebrating the passion and achievements of DKU’s student-athletes. Hosted by Rachel Lee and Shang Wang, the event brought together teammates, coaches, faculty, and friends in a spirited evening that reflected the pride and unity of the DKU community.
Opening Remarks
As the ceremony commenced, Christopher van Velzer, Dean of Student Experience, delivered a powerful address that captured the essence of athletic excellence at DKU. He passionately highlighted the year’s extraordinary accomplishments, the establishment of new clubs, and the victory in the Sino-Foreign University Cup. He emphasized that athletics are not just about victories, but about building a strong, interconnected DKU community that embodies the true spirit of the university.
Christopher van Velzer
Zarko Krkeljas, Director of DKU Athletics, followed with a heartfelt speech, expressing his gratitude to student-athletes, coaches, and staff for their dedication over the past year. He reflected on the growth of DKU Athletics and how sports have become a vital part of the university’s identity, fostering competition, perseverance, and a deep sense of belonging.
Zarko Krkeljas
2024/25 Athletics Documentary
Following the opening remarks, the audience was invited to watch The Journey in Motion, a powerful year-end video montage. Tracing DKU’s expansion from Phase 1 to Phase 2, the film highlighted the incredible strides made in athletics since the opening of the new Sports Complex. In just two years, DKU Athletics has grown into a cornerstone of campus life, driven by passion, ambition, and collective pride. As the lights came back on, MC Rachel asked, “Did anyone cry? I cried a bit actually.”
The Journey in Motion
Directed & Filmed by Athletics Media Team
DKU Moves Program
This year, the DKU Moves program brought together an impressive 1,982 active participants, collectively logging over 100,000 kilometers of movement across continents and campuses. Several standout individuals were recognized for their exceptional contributions to this initiative.
Most Versatile Mover Award: Micky Zhang
Most Consistent Mover Award: Prof. Mengtian Chen
Rising Star Mover Award: Qianshuo Huang
Student Staff Appreciation
In addition to athletes, the ceremony also honored the unsung heroes behind the scenes—dedicated student staff members who supported the athletics program throughout the year:
Sports Complex Associate of the Year: Bilguun Dugarsuren
Climbing Wall Associate of the Year: Anna Poledna
Event Associate of the Year: Panpinhan Zhao
Event Associate of the Year for DKU Moves: Qianhui Huang
Media Associate of the Year: Qiaomo Wu
Recognition of Senior Scholar Athletes
The Senior Student-Athlete Recognition segment, presented by the coaches and club presidents of DKU’s 17 varsity teams and sports clubs, was undoubtedly the highlight of the night. As each senior athlete took the stage, telling their stories of perseverance, camaraderie, and transformation, many students—and even coaches—choked up. They are the ones who helped shape the early legacy of DKU Athletics—from tough practices to the proud teams that now represent the university. Amid cheers and laughter, teammates rushed onstage to embrace their graduating leaders, expressing gratitude for the impact they had on their teams—not only in skill but in spirit. Their legacy will continue to inspire those who follow in their footsteps.
Climbing Club
Running Club
Sailing Club
Street Dance Club
Tennis Club
Badminton Varsity Team
Women‘s Basketball Varsity Team
Men’s Football Varsity Team
Women’s Football Varsity Team
Judo Varsity Team
Running Varsity Team
Table Tennis Varsity Team
Taichi Varsity Team
Tennis Varsity Team
Ultimate Frisbee Varsity Team
Men’s and Women’s Varsity Team
Individual & Team Awards
The following was the most exciting segment about Individual and Team Athletic Awards, a celebration of the standout contributions that define DKU’s athletic excellence. Every nominee had demonstrated remarkable dedication, leadership, and passion throughout the year, and their achievements were recognized by teammates and coaches alike. The winners include:
The Varsity Team of the Year went to the Men’s Football Team, which played 24 games in total, finishing fourth out of 16 teams in the 2nd Suzhou College Football League.
The Sport Club of the Year, awarded to the Street Dance Club, hosting Dance Fest with over 400 participants and performing at 3 universities during SFUC.
The Most Improved Team of the Year was claimed by the Women’s Basketball Team, whose growth and resilience throughout the year were nothing short of inspiring.
For their perseverance in holding bi-weekly Park Run with an average of 200 participants, the Running Club received the Community Engagement Award.
The Sportsmanship Award was presented to Rachel Lee, whose integrity and empathy uplifted those around her, both on and off the court.
Amanda Oliveira, as captain of the basketball Team, was recognized with the Scholar Athlete Leadership Award, a testament to her 1-on-1 support to her teammates.
The title of Male Student Athlete of the Year was awarded to Ricardo Vargas, the captain of the Men’s Football Team and also the top 10 scorer in the Suzhou Football League.
Bonnie Cabot, as captain of the Women’s Football team, her her unwavering support and leadership, earning her the Female Student Athlete of the Year honor.
Closing Remarks
To conclude the evening, Tony An took the stage to deliver the final remarks. As he thanked the student-athletes, coaches, staff, and the entire DKU community for their relentless dedication and love for sports, his voice wavered with emotion. “Let’s come back and do this again, ok?” Tony shouted out, with everyone responding with a powerful round of applause.
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