Adelaide University student rowers on the world stage in China

Adelaide University student-athletes joined over 200 competitors on the Qinhuai River for the Inaugural Sino-Australian Collegiate Rowing and Dragon Boat Friendship Challenge, held from September 7-14 in Nanjing, China.

Marking a historic first in international collegiate sports, the landmark event brought together 21 student-athlete crews from 14 premier Chinese and Australian universities to showcase high-level athletic talent and foster cross-cultural camaraderie.

The event - jointly hosted by the China Center for International People-to-People Exchange, the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Australia, the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education, and the Nanjing Municipal Sports Bureau - highlighted Adelaide University's active role in enhancing international youth ties and educational collaboration through sports.

Prior to racing, Adelaide University's Izac Nilsen took to the stage to give the The Athletes' Oath on behalf of all students competing across all universities, pledging to compete respectfully, with full energy, focus, and a spirit of fair play.

Adelaide University crews then raced in a competitive 1km Sprint Race, with the AU Men’s Eight placing fifth with a time of 2:52.89 and the AU Women’s Eight placing fourth with a time of 3:13.82.

Following this, Adelaide University joined forces with Nanjing University to pay tribute to China’s largest river and form the “Yangtze Breakers,” a team of 14 paddlers, one drummer and one steersman, rowing in tandem in the 200-metre Dragon Boat Friendship Challenge.

Also taking place on September 12-13 at the same location, Adelaide University was able to compete in the 2026 Nanjing International Universities Rowing Open which also featured such prestigious institutions as Oxford, Cambridge and Yale in a range of events.

Competing in a 2 x 1km Sprint, Adelaide University proved they belong on the world stage, with the AU Men’s Eight placing fifth with a total time of 5:39.10 and the AU Women’s Eight taking home the bronze medal amongst a packed field with a third-place finish and a total time of 6:13.41.

Throughout the week-long event, our students were able to embrace traditional Chinese culture through a series of events. "Sport can bridge language differences and bring people together," said Adelaide University’s Anja Felderhof. "We're not just here to race. We want to learn, grow, and build friendships with Chinese students.”

SEE THE EVENT PHOTO ALBUM