The FISU #MascotMonday tournament is into its business end, with Wugie from Edmonton 1983 taking on U-Laika from Krasnoyarsk 2019 in the first semifinal that starts today.
Since mid-November, FISU has been brightening up Mondays with the #MascotMondays tournament, with winners decided by votes on social media.
Eight mascots from previous winter and summer editions of the FISU World University Games were selected for this virtual tournament, including those from Belluno 1985, Sapporo 1991, Strbske Pleso 1987 and Kazan 2013.
Also making it to the last four are ‘The Buffalo’ from Buffalo 1993 and Bravo from Taipei 2017 – who will go head to head in a vote-off next Monday, to decide the line up of the grand finalé.
FISU audiences have a chance to vote to choose the winner on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, with voting lasting 24 hours.
Wugie the owl from the Edmonton 1983 Summer Universiade wears a graduation cap, representing the wisdom gained from education.
Wugie was the first ever mascot of the Summer Universiade and also marked Canada’s debut of hosting the World University Games. Wugie has also met royalty, as he was joined by none other than Charles, Prince of Wales at the opening ceremony!
In the quarterfinals, Wugie got past Sappy the deer from Sapporo 1991, with about 60% of the votes cast.
Meanwhile U-Laika, the Siberian husky from the Krasnoyarsk 2019 Winter Universiade, came through with an impressive win over the mascot from Strbske Pleso 1987.
U-Laika was a crowd favourite at the FISU World University Games last year, and represents loyalty, friendliness, joy and unbridled energy.
As U-Laika and Wugie square off, head over to the FISU Instagram, Twitter or Facebook pages to vote! Voting for this semifinal starts 14:00 CET.
