Sancha Lake, Chengdu — August 17, 2025. Engines roared and spray filled the air as MotoSurf, the UIM’s youngest powerboating discipline, crowned its first-ever participation in The World Games. Three finals — Men’s, Women’s, and the Mixed Nations Cup — delivered thrilling races, showcasing precision, speed, and emerging talent. Czechia led the way by winning gold medals across all three categories, while China made a strong impression with multiple podium finishes.
Men’s Final — Zahorský flawless, China’s double podium
Lukáš Zahorský (CZE) executed a perfect ten-lap race with two joker laps to take gold. The home crowd cheered as Zhang Maozhu (CHN) and Feng Zhanghao (CHN) claimed silver and bronze — a historic double podium for China. A dramatic note: Kim Down (KOR) recorded the fastest raw time, but a penalty kept him off the podium.
Women’s Final — Matoušková golden, Gao breaks through
Eliška Matoušková (CZE) dominated the Women’s Final, riding clean on both joker laps to secure gold. Gao Jiayin (CHN) pushed hard to capture silver, marking a milestone for China’s women, while Emma Strculová (SVK) took bronze. Three Chinese athletes finished in the top seven, demonstrating the host nation’s growing strength in the MotoSurf Sport.
Mixed Nations Cup — Czech relay brilliance, China in top five
The mixed relay combined precision handovers and flat-out speed. Czechia paired the individual gold medalists Lukáš Zahorský and Eliška Matoušková to claim gold. Poland earned silver and Slovakia took bronze. China delivered two top-five finishes on home waters, underlining their readiness to compete at the highest level in this global sport.
A new wave in MotoSurf
Raced on carbon-fiber boards powered by zero-emission fuel and reaching speeds up to 70 km/h, MotoSurf’s World Games debut was a perfect showcase of speed, strategy, and athletic skills. The Czech riders confirmed their benchmark status, while China’s multiple podiums and top-five finishes underline their growing presence in the sport.
Prize Giving Ceremony
The winners were celebrated in a memorable prize-giving ceremony attended by UIM President Dr. Raffaele Chiulli, who took the time to personally congratulate each of the medalists. “For the first time in the history of The World Games, a motorized sport has showcased its excellence, and MotoSurf could not have asked for a better stage,” Dr. Chiulli said. “The energy, passion, and determination shown by the participating athletes highlight the bright future of our sport. I am very proud of what they achieved here, and deeply thankful to the city of Chengdu, whose outstanding hospitality and flawless organization made this event truly special. It was an honor to share such unforgettable moments with the athletes and the sporting community present on-site.”
UIM President, Raffaele Chiulli & Martin Jancálek, UIM MotoSurf World Championship Director