More than 600 student-athletes from all over the world competed in the inaugural Duke Kunshan University Invitational Sports Tournament at the weekend.
Five universities from east and central China locked horns at the first major sporting event to be staged at the DKU Sports Complex since it opened in the summer.
Duke Kunshan hosted New York University Shanghai (NYUSH), the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC), Wuhan University (WHU) and Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) on Dec. 2-3 for what will be an annual event.
“This competition perfectly captures the spirit of holistic education, where physical fitness and academic excellence go hand in hand,” Duke Kunshan Chancellor Yaolin Liu (pictured) told the opening ceremony.
Together the five universities form an international community in China of students representing at least 100 countries worldwide, creating what Liu described as a “truly global” sports tournament.
“We are also excited to host a major sporting event for the first time at DKU’s recently completed Sports Complex, a facility dedicated to promoting lifelong physical well-being and sportsmanship,” Liu added.
The universities competed in badminton, basketball, football, volleyball, table tennis and tennis.
Flying the flag for Duke Kunshan was the women’s volleyball team, who followed up on their XJTLU Cup victory in April to win their second major tournament of the year.
DKU’s other top three finishes came in the women’s football (second), men’s football (third) and badminton (third).
“We won all of our games undefeated so I’m really happy about and really proud of my team.
said Erica Ham, captain of the DKU women’s volleyball team.
“I think it’s super cool that DKU is able to host this tournament and allow us to play with other schools.”
Ham said they were lifted by the supportive atmosphere during games and the opportunity to interact students from other schools, adding, “Everyone tried their best, showing great sportsmanship and cheered well — it was really fun.”
Harry Cen, the NYUSH tennis captain, said that DKU put on a fantastic event.
“The whole sports facility is very well-equipped,” he said. “I feel that everyone at DKU can enjoy a very good sports life here.”
Director of DKU Athletics Dr. Zarko Krkeljas (pictured) said, “This weekend marked a milestone for DKU and DKU Athletics – to finally host our first, annual DKU Invitational Tournament.
“Bringing together five world-class universities and 600 students from across the world, the tournament perfectly highlighted the purpose behind our sport and varsity program.
“We are building an inclusive platform for our student-athletes to promote DKU through sport as we strive to instill a sense of belonging and school spirit in our community, while also building bridges with other institutions.”
Krkeljas added that a key aim is to grow the tournament as a platform for intracultural engagement between partner universities as well as with the local Kunshan and Suzhou community.
THE WINNERS
Badminton – WHU
Basketball (Women) – XJTLU
Basketball (Men) – NYUSH
Football (Women) – NYUSH
Football (Men) – XJTLU
Volleyball (Women) – DKU
Volleyball (Men) – XJTLU
Table Tennis – WHU
Tennis – UNNC
