85 Kiwi Athletes Gear Up to Compete on International Stage

A team of 85 student-athletes will represent New Zealand across multiple sports at the FISU World University Games, held in Germany from 16-27 July.

The FISU World University Games are the world’s second largest multi-sport event after the Olympics, bringing together around 8,500 student-athletes and officials from over 150 countries to compete for medals in 18 sports.

For many athletes, the World University Games are a key stepping stone on the pathway to the Commonwealth Games and Olympic competition.

Team NZ comprises athletes from universities and tertiary institutes across New Zealand and overseas. They will compete in a range of sports, including archery, athletics, 3x3 basketball, beach volleyball, fencing, artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, taekwondo, rowing, and water polo. 

Chef De Mission Evelyn Williamson says the Games are a moment of national pride and opportunity.

“Having 85 student-athletes wearing the silver fern on the international stage is a point of immense pride for New Zealand. It’s not just about participation, it’s about showing the world that our small nation consistently punches above its weight in sport,” she says.

“The Games are a unique opportunity for athletes to perform at an elite level and gain experience in a high-performance environment. It’s where future Olympians are forged.”

New Zealand’s history at the Games includes alumni such as Eliza McCartney, Zoe Hobbs, Hamish Kerr, Anthony Mosse, and Lauren Boyle, athletes who have gone on to become household names. For this year’s cohort, the Games offer the chance to follow in their footsteps.

“What stands out most is the dedication these athletes show, balancing study, intense training, and often part-time work."

“Their achievements deserve to be celebrated not just for their sporting prowess, but for the commitment, resilience, and time management it takes to compete at this level.”

From 16 to 27 July, the Rhine-Ruhr cities of Bochum, Duisburg, and Essen will host 12 days of world-class sport. With all venues located in proximity, the Games will create a vibrant atmosphere, bringing together athletes, officials, media, and fans from around the world.

As Team NZ heads to Germany, Kiwis across the country are encouraged to follow their journey, share in their success, and support the rising stars of New Zealand sport.

The full New Zealand team is as follows: 

Archery (2)

Isabella Matthews (University of Auckland)

Ben McLean (University of Auckland)

Artistic Gymnastics (6)

Logan Curtis (Victoria University of Wellington)

Alexander Istock (University of Michigan)

Max Renaud (Otago Polytechnic / Te Pukenga)

Daniel Stoddart (University of Auckland)

Joshua Teitelbaum (University of Auckland)

Alisa Wada (University of Canterbury)

Athletics (19)

Hannah Adye (University of Auckland)

Jordyn Blake (University of Auckland)

Emma Douglass (Wake Forest University)

Annalies Kalma (University of Nevada)

Peyton Leigh (Princeton University)

Kimberley May (Providence College)

Isabel Neal (University of Auckland)

Eva Pringle (University of Otago)

Rosa Twyford (University of Canterbury)

Marielle Venida (University of Auckland)

Maddie Wilson (University of Canterbury)

Liam Back (Providence College)

Anthony Barmes (Drake University)

Toby Gualter (North Carolina State University)

Ethan Olivier (North West University Potchefstroom)

Nick Palmer (Massey University)

Lex Revell-Lewis (University of Auckland)

Tommy Te Puni (University of Auckland)

Shay Veitch (University of Otago)

3x3 Basketball (4)

Alexa Duff (University of Otago)

Kate Herman (Lincoln University)

Carly Ohia (University of Waikato)

Maya Taingahue (University of Waikato)

Beach Volleyball (2)

Jack McManaway (University of Waikato)

James Sadlier (University of Auckland)

Fencing - Epee (8)

Tamsyn Campbell (University of Canterbury)

Seraphine Cox (University of Otago)

Elsie Lins (University of Auckland)

Sophia Tweddle (University of Otago)

Joel Ball-La Hood (Centro di Lingua e Cultura Italiana per stranieri)

Nolan Peterson (Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore)

Matthew Valkenburg (University of Auckland)

Joel Wilson (University of Canterbury)

Fencing - Foil (3)

Ruby Chan (AUT)

Chantelle May (University of Auckland)

Helen Wang (University of Auckland)

Rhythmic Gymnastics (1)

Havana Hopman (University of Auckland)

Rowing (11)

Frances Casey (University of Waikato)

Isobel Eliadis-Watson (University of Waikato)

Hannah Matehaere (University of Otago)

Madison Neale (University of Otago)

Samuel Barnett (University of Otago)

Henry Clatworthy (University of Otago)

Harry Galvan (University of Canterbury)

George Johnson (University of Canterbury)

Lewis Meates (University of Canterbury)

Matthew O'Meara (Lincoln University)

Arie Rasmussen-Magasiva (University of Auckland)

Taekwondo (3)

Alexi Evett (Victoria University of Wellington)

Victoria Li (Victoria University of Wellington)

Abby Wheeler (Victoria University of Wellington)

Water Polo (26)

Lauren Batchelor (University of Canterbury)

Isabella Broadmore (University of Canterbury)

Riaan Bryant (Fresno State University)

Georgia Daly (University of California Davis)

Taylor Fisher (San Jose State University)

Sophie Gardiner (AUT)

Erin Goldsmith (Yoobee College of Creative Innovation)

Isabelle Jackson (University of Michigan)

Georgia Milne (Lincoln University)

Chelsea Oliver (Long Beach State University)

Bianca Pennington (University of Canterbury)

Georgia Reed (University of Canterbury)

Emison Styris (Loyola Marymount University)

Matthew Anderson (University of Canterbury)

Gene Baggott (University of Waikato)

Ethan Carrington (Golden West College)

Bae Fountain (University of the Pacific)

Hamish Hegarty (University of Sydney)

Flynn Howarth (University of Auckland)

Campbell Hulbert (Victoria University of Wellington)

Mitchell Keightley (San Jose State University)

Ashwyn Keshvara (Long Beach State University)

Michael Rodgers (Golden West College)

Isaac Schuler (University of Sydney)

Josef Schuler (University of Sydney)

Daniel Warman (University of the Pacific)