- 13:25
The Lebanese colors are flying high in Germany. Lebanon is fielding an ambitious delegation at the FISU World University Games, led by taekwondo athlete Laetitia Aoun and a men’s basketball team coached by Joe Moujaes. The goal is clear: to come home wearing medals.
Germany has kicked off the prestigious Summer Universiade, bringing together over 9,000 student-athletes from more than 100 countries, all competing across 18 disciplines. And within this global celebration of university sports, Lebanon is asserting its ambitions.
Led by the Lebanese Federation of University Sports, the Lebanese delegation relies on a selection of young talents identified throughout a promising and competitive university season. At the forefront: basketball, with a men’s team that features several familiar faces from the local scene, all under the guidance of national coach Joe Moujaes. A team to closely follow on the German courts.
But Lebanon’s biggest medal hope rests on Laetitia Aoun. The taekwondo star, already decorated with multiple international achievements, arrives in Duisburg carrying the label of favorite. A gold medal wouldn’t be a surprise—but rather the logical continuation of her upward trajectory.
The host cities – Bochum, Essen, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Hagen, and the capital Berlin – will be buzzing with competitions until July 27, as well as cultural initiatives. Because beyond pure sport, the Universiade aims to be a crossroads of global youth, a space for dialogue, discovery, and reflection.
Under the slogan “Competition for Change,” the event will also focus on themes such as sustainability and mental health, highlighted by a global congress. A way to remind everyone that these games don’t just produce medalists—but also citizens of the world.
For the Lebanese athletes, this is an opportunity to defend their flag, represent their universities, but above all, to live a life-changing human adventure. Because here, you come as competitors… and often leave as friends.
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