USA Sweeps 2019 WU24, Three Gold Medals

In Events, News, Past Ultimate Events, Past WFDF Events, Sports, Ultimate by WFDF

Team USA sweeps WFDF 2019 World Under-24 Ultimate Championships, taking home three gold medals in Heidelberg, Germany

 

Team USA went undefeated during eight days of competition, with a combined 31-0 record across three divisions, on their way to winning three gold medals at the WFDF 2019 World Under-24 Ultimate Championships, which concluded on Saturday, July 20 in Heidelberg, Germany. The Americans took home top honors in all three divisions — Men’s, Women’s and Mixed.

Top spirit of the game prizes were awarded to Denmark in the Men’s division, South Africa in the Mixed division and both New Zealand and Australia in the Women’s division.

“It was a great week of Ultimate in the heart of Europe, and the next generation of elite athletes showed their grit and determination over the entire week while maintaining the best of spirit of the game,” stated WFDF President Robert “Nob” Rauch. “We were honored to introduce DOSB President Alfons Hörmann, IWGA CEO Joachim Gossow, and GAISF Director Philippe Gueisbuhler to the future of our sport. We also thank our local hosts DISC-Respect Sports group with the support of Heidelberg Sport and Health Office.”

In the Women’s division, the Americans defeated Japan, 15-9, the second time the two had faced off in the tournament. The last time the two teams competed in the U-24 World Championships final, in London in 2015, Japan handed the USA its only loss in event history. Canada took home the bronze medal, squeaking by a feisty Colombian team 15-13.

In the Men’s division, it was a North American showdown, with Team USA taking on Canada. The Americans edged out a win with a final score of 15-12. Italy, the silver medalists at WU24 in 2018, finished in third place by outlasting the Japanese 15-11 in the bronze medal game.

In the Mixed division, USA beat Japan 15-12 in a rematch of the 2018 U24 final in Perth, Australia. Singapore won the bronze, earning the nation’s first medal in a world championship event by beating Latvia 15-12.

MEDAL RESULTS

MIXED
Spirit: South Africa
Gold: USA
Silver: Japan
Bronze: Singapore

WOMEN
Spirit: Australia and New Zealand
Gold: USA
Silver: Japan
Bronze: Canada

MEN
Spirit: Denmark
Gold: USA
Silver: Canada
Bronze: Italy

Full results can be found at:  https://wu24heidelberg.com/live

This bi-annual event featured 1,150 athletes on 51 national teams from 29 countries. The WU24 was open to all players who were fourteen (14) years old or older and did not turn twenty-four (24) during the calendar year 2019. The last events were held in Perth, Australia, London, United Kingdom, Toronto, Canada, and Florence, Italy, in 2018, 2015, 2013, and 2010, respectively.