Kunshan, China – September 28
With the cheers of the crowd echoing across campus, 2025 Duke Kunshan University Invitational came to a successful close. Upholding the spirit of “Friendship through Sports,” the tournament brought together 606 student-athletes from DKU, Soochow University, Wuhan University, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, CUHK-Shenzhen and other sports clubs for two days of exciting competition.
Group photo of the student-athletes
Opening Ceremony
The wonderful opening of the cheerleading squad
At the Opening Ceremony, Executive Vice Chancellor John Quelch reminded everyone that sports are not only about competition, but also about building friendships and fostering exchange.
John Quelch, Executive Vice Chancellor
Christopher further emphasized this idea by asking, “Why do we do it?” His answer was simple yet powerful: the value of sports lies beyond winning or losing—it is about challenging ourselves, pushing limits, and finding meaning in the journey.
Christopher‘s encouragement speech
Game Recap
Basketball drew much attention as well, with Wuhan University showcasing their strength to take home both the men’s and women’s titles. DKU Men’s Basketball Team also made history by XJTLU for the first time and securing the runner-up position — the team’s best result in the tournament so far.
Mutual encouragement between men’s basketball teams
In game guidance for women’s basketball
Football was another highlight. DKU’s men’s team fought hard in a tense match that ended in penalties, holding their ground to claim a victory for the home side. Meanwhile, Soochow University’s women’s team demonstrated steady offensive play, staying ahead throughout the tournament to earn the championship.
Exciting moments of male football players
Exciting moments of female football players
Racket sports delivered no shortage of thrills. DKU triumphed in table tennis with solid teamwork and consistency, while Wuhan University rose to the top in tennis by excelling at key moments. Though played on smaller courts, both sports drew enthusiastic crowds thanks to their fast pace and intensity. On the badminton court, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University secured the championship after a series of close matches.
Exciting moments of table tennis competition
Exciting moments of tennis matches
Exciting moments of badminton matches
Ultimate Frisbee and volleyball also stood out. Soochow University showed remarkable coordination to win the Frisbee title, while Wuhan University dominated volleyball, capturing both the men’s and women’s championships with strong defense and relentless attacks.
Exciting moments of frisbee competition
Exciting moments of men’s volleyball matches
Exciting moments of women’s volleyball matches
This year’s Invitational was more than a competition—it was a celebration of sportsmanship, teamwork, and friendship. The passion and dedication of the athletes brought the community together, both on and off the field. We look forward to gathering again next year for another exciting chapter of the DKU Invitational!
Winning photo of football match
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