Music, dance performances mark end of 2025 World Masters Games

Taipei, May 30 (CNA) The 2025 World Masters Games concluded Friday with a festive ceremony held at the New Taipei City Art Museum in Yingge District featuring a slew of dazzling musical and dance performances.

The event began with a traditional dragon dance performed by a local art troupe, followed by performances from the Taiwanese hip hop group Caotun Boyz and Indigenous Paiwan singer Kasiwa (葛西瓦).

Sergii Bubka, president of the International Masters Games Association, later delivered a speech thanking the organizers and local authorities for their dedicated work which "have made these games a great success and raised the bar for future host cities."

"Let us continue to move, to compete, to connect and to inspire the world to embody sport for life. Let us never stop being champions, not just in sport, but in life," Bubka said.

New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) and Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) gave speeches celebrating the successful conclusion of the 2025 World Masters Games.

After nearly two weeks of sports competitions held across multiple venues in seven cities and counties in Taiwan, the torch was passed to the next host city, Kansai in Japan.

"We now pass the torch and the spirit to Japan's Kansai and may the World Masters Games 2027 shine even brighter," Chiang said.

While on stage, the two mayors each presented a certification of appreciation to groups of volunteers for their hard work in helping make the sporting event in Taiwan possible.

Later, the IMGA flag was passed on to Masayoshi Matsumoto, president of Kansai's Organizing Committee for the World Masters Games.

During his speech, Matsumoto thanked Taiwan, saying that whenever Japan has faced major natural disasters, friends from Taiwan have always extended generous and heartfelt support.

"This kindness is something we hold dear and will never forget," he said.

The night's event then continued with a slew of other performances from various local artists, including boyband Energy and Taiwanese drag queen champion Nymphia Wind.

According to the organizers, about 48,000 athletes from around the world attended the 2025 World Masters Games, with a total of 13,500 medals awarded.

The multisport event was held from May 17-30 and hosted by Taipei and New Taipei.