HSS takes 5th place in the XJTLU Track and Field Competition
09 Jun 2025
The School of Humanities and Social Sciences delivered a stellar performance at the 2025 XJTLU Track and Field Competition, finishing in fifth place with a total of 46 points. The result highlights the unity, perseverance, and teamwork of the school’s faculty and students.
This year's competition is organized in two categories - students and staff, and includes 16 items. All schools and departments actively participated in a lively atmosphere and exciting tournaments. HSS athletes earned 2 gold , 1 silver, and 2 bronze medals, with several more top-six finishes. The team accumulated 36 competition points, plus an additional 10 bonus points for a record-breaking, securing the school’s fifth-place ranking overall. The top three positions were claimed by the School of Advanced Technology, XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang), and the International Business School Suzhou.
A standout student participant was Weizheng Zhang, a Year 2 student majoring in English Studies. He contributed 2 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze medals, while breaking a university record, bringing a significantly contribution to the school’s overall score. Facing an intense schedule and competing in 6 different events, Zhang showcased remarkable endurance and athleticism.
“This intensity of the competition was a big challenge for me. Not only did I have to cope with the physical demands of multiple events in a short period of time, but I also had to make tough choices between them.” He said, “I’m grateful that I held on and was able to prove myself in the final event, winning honor for both myself and my school.”
This event and his result also held special significance for Zhang. “I’m about to head to Liverpool for the 2+2 program. This was my final competition at XJTLU — it felt like my personal ‘last dance.’ Since this year’s competition is registered and teamed as a unit of school. I wasn’t just competing for myself, but for School of Humanities and Social Sciences as a whole.”
As a non-professional athlete, Zhang began sprint training independently since April, 2024. “I had been searching for a sport that truly resonated with me, something I could be passionate about. Sprinting gave me that sense of purpose,” he reflected.
Notably, Weizheng Zhang was also awarded the 2025 XJTLU i-Star Five-Star honor of “Star of Sports” in recognition of his outstanding performance in the field of sports.
Organized by the XJTLU Sports Centre, the 2025 XJTLU Track and Field Competition was a celebration of sportsmanship, perseverance, and community spirit. Building on this momentum, the School of Humanities and Social Sciences remains committed to fostering holistic development by encouraging students to engage in both academic and extracurricular pursuits, striving for continued excellence in future campus events.
Report: Yiyi Gu, Jingling Wen
09 Jun 2025