World University Games 2005
The 23rd World University Games were held in Izmir, Turkey from 11 - 21 August 2005. Over 7,500 competitors and officials competed in 13 sports which included 3 invitational sports selected by the Turkish organising committee - Sailing, Wrestling & Taekwondo.
WUGs 2005 was NZ’s most successful ever Games:
- 5 medals (most won at a single WUGs - only 4 medals total in previous 22 WUGs)
- First medals won since 1987
- Gold medal (Kimberley Smith, Athletics, 5,000m) - only second gold medal ever won by NZ
- WUGs record (Kimberley Smith) - first ever WUGs record by NZ competitor
- 25th overall nation in medals table (160 nations) - highest ever NZ finish and first time higher than Australia (42nd)
- 3 medals (Helen Norfolk, Swimming) - most won by NZ competitor at single WUGs
- 9th in Women’s Soccer competition - highest ever finish
- Golden Boot (Rebecca Tegg, Soccer) - NZ’s first ever highest scorer award in Soccer
- Fair Play Award - NZ’s second consecutive Women’s Soccer Fair Play Award
- Largest ever NZ delegation - 111 competitors and officials
- 8 sports - highest number competed in by NZ
More specific information on the 2005 World University Games can be found on the following websites: