China scores 9 medals as 2025 World Rowing championships conclude

The 2025 World Rowing Championships concluded on Sunday in Shanghai, as the event drew 1,203 athletes and coaches from 55 countries and regions, competing across 23 events in both able-bodied and para-rowing categories.

Britain collected the highest total medal count with three golds, four silvers, and one bronze, while the Netherlands took home the most gold medals with four, in addition to one silver, and one bronze. The competition was far from one-sided, however, with 25 nations securing at least one medal, according to the official website of World Rowing.

The Chinese rowing team delivered an impressive performance, capturing three gold medals in the men's and women's lightweight double sculls, as well as the mixed double sculls PR2 category.

Additionally, China earned three silver medals in women's double sculls, women's lightweight single sculls, and mixed coxed four PR3, along with a bronze medal in women's single sculls PR1.

The championships witnessed a reform in the progression system, replacing the traditional repechage format with a new mechanism. Under the new system, only the top two crews from each heat advance directly to the next round, with remaining qualifiers determined by finishing times.

The championships also introduced mixed double sculls and mixed eight events to the World Championships medal program for the first time, adding new dimensions to the sport.

"The organizing committee has done a fantastic job in the preparations. It's a tremendous amount of work to deliver such an event and really deserves our appreciation," World Rowing Federation President Jean-Christophe Rolland said. "We are having very good collaboration with Shanghai, and we are looking forward to additional projects with Shanghai and other Chinese cities."