England shine on home soil at the 2025 World Tug of War Championships
Tug of War represents a concept so classic that in many cultures, its name is used in everyday language. When the referee commands, “Pick up the rope!” – “Take the strain!” – “Steady!” – “Pull!” Adrenalin pushes eight athletes on each side to muster every ounce of strength in their bodies!
Posted: Sep 2025
The 2025 World Tug of War Championships wrapped up earlier this month – Thursday 4 to Sunday 7 September – at the Highfields Sports Complex, University of Nottingham, with over 1,200 athletes from 20 nations competing in a thrilling four-day event. Organised by the English Tug of War Association (TOWA) on behalf of the Tug of War International Federation (TWIF), the championships featured both club and international competitions across a wide range of weight classes for men’s, women’s, and mixed teams.
International Medal Highlights
Junior Men 560kg:🥇 Gold - South Africa | 🥈 Silver - Chinese Taipei | 🥉 Bronze - Belgium
Junior Women 480kg:🥇 Gold - Chinese Taipei | 🥈 Silver - South Africa | 🥉 Bronze - England
Senior Men 600kg:🥇 Gold - Basque Country | 🥈 Silver - Switzerland | 🥉 Bronze - Germany
Under 23 Mixed 560kg:🥇 Gold - England | 🥈 Silver - Chinese Taipei | 🥉 Bronze - Basque Country
Senior Men 680kg:🥇 Gold - Switzerland | 🥈 Silver - Sweden | 🥉 Bronze - Belgium
Senior Women 500kg:🥇 Gold - Chinese Taipei | 🥈 Silver - Switzerland | 🥉 Bronze - England
Senior Men 560kg:🥇 Gold - Switzerland | 🥈 Silver - Basque Country | 🥉 Bronze - Netherlands
Senior Mixed 580kg:🥇 Gold - Switzerland | 🥈 Silver - Germany | 🥉 Bronze - Italy
Junior Mixed 520kg:🥇 Gold - Chinese Taipei | 🥈 Silver - South Africa | 🥉 Bronze - Belgium
Under 23 Men 600kg:🥇 Gold - Switzerland | 🥈 Silver - South Africa | 🥉 Bronze - England
Under 23 Women 500kg:🥇 Gold - Chinese Taipei | 🥈 Silver - England | 🥉 Bronze - Scotland
Senior Men 640kg:🥇 Gold - England | 🥈 Silver - Switzerland | 🥉 Bronze - Italy
Senior Women 540kg:🥇 Gold - Chinese Taipei | 🥈 Silver - Sweden | 🥉 Bronze – England
England’s athletes, buoyed by a passionate home crowd, claimed 15 medals across the club and international competitions, including 6 golds. Two of those golds came in the international events, with standout performances in the Senior Men’s 640kg and Under 23 Mixed 560kg categories. England also finished as the top nation at Under 23 level, with a full set of medals: gold, silver, and bronze.
“This was a truly unforgettable championship for England,” said Alan Knott, spokesperson for the English Tug of War Association. “To perform like this on home soil, in front of such supportive crowds, is something special. The facilities at the University of Nottingham were outstanding, and the atmosphere throughout the weekend was electric. We’ve also seen fantastic media coverage, which is helping to put tug of war firmly on the map.”
The international competitions also welcomed a special guest, Mrs. Tania Chea from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), who attended to observe the high level of competition and the sport’s global appeal. Her visit underscores the growing recognition of tug of war on the world stage. The Tug of War International Federation (TWIF) continues to advocate for the sport’s re-introduction to the Olympic Games, highlighting its rich history, inclusivity, and international reach.
The event follows on from Great Britain’s gold medal win at the 2025 World Games, further boosting the sport’s profile nationally and internationally. With growing interest and visibility, the TOWA hopes more people will now see tug of war as a serious, competitive sport that offers amateur athletes the chance to represent their country and travel the world. Looking ahead, the 2026 World Championships will take place in South Africa, promising another exciting chapter in the sport’s global journey.
For more information about tug of war in England, including how to get involved or join a local team, visit www.tugofwar.co.uk.
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