Four people are talking to each other in front of a window. © Felix Schmale​/​TU Dortmund
4th Place for Julius Kaim in the Men’s Eight

TU Student Jana Stüwe Wins Gold in Water Polo

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The German women's water polo team celebrates after winning the gold medal at the FISU Games, with the two coaches in the foreground. © Moritz Müller​/​Rhine-Ruhr 2025
The German women’s water polo players led by Jana Stüwe from TU Dortmund University (back row, left) let their joy run free after securing the gold medal. The two coaches had also jumped into the water to celebrate their success.
The FISU World University Games 2025 have ended. For the two participating TU students, the Games ended with mixed emotions: unbridled joy over the sensational victory against the USA by Jana Stüwe and her water polo team – and disappointment over a thankless fourth place for Julius Kaim and the men’s eight in rowing. For the region, the FISU Games were a full success. Approximately 1.2 million spectators followed the competitions along the Rhine and Ruhr rivers as well as in Berlin. The German “Team Studi” was more successful than ever, securing 40 medals.

On Saturday, 26 July, the audience in the sold-out water polo arena of ASC Duisburg could hardly believe their eyes during the women’s final, as “Team Studi” played confidently against the heavily favored U.S. Americans. With an outstanding defense, the German team kept the USA scoreless until halftime and had already built a comfortable four-goal lead. In the second half, the home team continued to defend with discipline and attack with efficiency, so their lead was never seriously threatened. In doing so, the German team, which had set winning at least one match as their minimal goal, rightfully deserved the gold medal.

Emotional Moments for Jana Stüwe

For TU student Jana Stüwe, her emotions after the final whistle were “indescribable. Only when we received our medals at the award ceremony did I realize this wasn’t a dream but reality.” The home crowd played an enormous role, the teacher trainee reports: “The entire stand applauded and cheered for us; it was simply incredible.” After the thrilling weeks at the FISU Games, the 21-year-old is now recovering on vacation before her season preparation begins in mid-August. She had postponed her exams to September and October so she could fully focus on the FISU Games over the summer.

The German men's eight in the final of the FISU Games, back view. © © Kevin Voigt​/​Rhine-Ruhr 2025

Disappointment for the Men’s Eight

Unlike the women’s water polo team, the German men’s “Studi Rowing Eight” entered the competition with medal ambitions. In the heat on Friday, Julius Kaim’s crew outpaced the Dutch boat and won the heat, advancing to the final. Despite a solid start in the showdown on Sunday, the final event of the 2025 FISU Games, “Team Studi” was not able row their way onto the podium. In the end, they missed bronze by two seconds, while gold went to Great Britain, silver to Poland, and the Netherlands took bronze. The German crew had to settle for the thankless fourth place. As the youngest in the boat, Julius Kaim, who studies Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at TU Dortmund University, still has the opportunity to qualify for the FISU Games in two years, taking place in Chungcheong, South Korea, in 2027.

Honoring the Achievements of Student Athletes

TU President Manfred Bayer, who watched the rowing competitions and other FISU events in person, praised the student athletes: “We are delighted by every German medal and successful participation at the World University Games. We are especially proud of the achievements of our students at TU Dortmund University.” He stressed that combining academic training with elite-level sport is a special challenge and that mastering this demanding combination is an extraordinary accomplishment.

Great Successes for “Team Studi”

Christoph Edeler, the delegation leader of the German “Team Studi” who was on duty for twelve consecutive days, also drew an extremely positive conclusion. “It was an incredibly intense time in which we witnessed many top athletic performances. ‘Team Studi’ was more successful than ever before with eleven titles, 40 medals, and a sixth-place finish in the medal standings,” he said, adding that the team presented itself as an excellent host and thrilled the regional audience.

In addition to 18 sports and numerous medal events, the FISU Games featured a versatile science and cultural program. Conferences, workshops, participatory activities, and concerts with popular artists attracted large audiences and reinforced the strong sense of community that defined the Games.

Further info on TU Dortmund University at the FISU Games (in German only)

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