LAUSANNE – As 2018 comes to a close, we’re reviewing a year of 32 World University Championships, the 3×3 World University League – 2018 Finals and many more occasions around the globe. All these FISU events were emotional and full of life – and photographers on site did their very best to capture each single moment of joy, ecstasy and celebration.
From a wide selection, FISU Staff picked their favourite feel-good photos of 2018 and here they are!
3. Switching sides. Badru S. Katumba. It was the first day of the highly anticipated FISU World University Netball Championship in Kampala, Uganda. The host nation in front of an enthusiastic home crowd was bringing their A-game early in the tournament, leading the underdogs from the United States of America by something like 90 to 10. That was when photographer Badru S. Katumba registered a change in atmosphere. With the game pretty much decided, suddenly the Ugandan supporters switched sides, booing their own team and instead supporting the guests from the USA. Even though the final score was 102-16, the fans ecstatically celebrated each point scored by the Americans, as can be seen in this snapshot. That’s the spirit of sportsmanship!
2. Let it rain. WUC Baseball Organising Committee. Did you know that in Baseball they reinvented the art of celebrating? Just look at those prestigious Major League Baseball teams in North America and what they do after advancing in the playoffs or, even bettter, winning the World Series. They wrap their locker room in plastic foil, put on goggles and shake the Champagne. But in the end, no plastic foil and no goggles can prevent the bubbly from leaving sticky telltale signs on the furniture in the locker room and stinging eyes. It’s a huge mess. So why not be smart like the student-athletes from Taipei, who won an extra-innings thriller against the USA at the FISU World University Baseball Championship in Chiayi. They just relocated their wet celebrations to the field of play – and used water instead of alcohol. At least in this particular moment.
1. Heavyweight smile. Paweł Skraba. Do you believe in magic? Well, we do. Because what else could be a reasonable explanation for what’s happening in the photo below? With the pure strength of her smile, Monika Dzienis from Poland lifts the weights. On top of that, she starts celebrating while the dumbbell is still flying in front of her. What a demonstration of physical and psychological strength! And yes – (we know that question was on your mind the whole time while reading this paragraph), witchcraft student-athletes are eligible to participate in FISU events. The world of university sports is a level playing field, we don’t discriminate between muggles and magicians as long as they stick by the rules.
In case you missed it, here is the ranking of the most fun photos of 2018. More rankings are coming up in the next few days until New Year’s Eve. Watch this space.