The first gold medal at this year's Chengdu World Games was won by Switzerland's Riccardo Rancan, who crossed the finish line first in the men's foot orienteering middle-distance race in a time of 45 minutes, 22 seconds.

China's Tang Jianda finished 18th, while compatriot Liu Xiaoming placed 23rd.

On the women's side, Simona Aebersold made it a gold medal sweep for Swiss runners. Slovakia's Tereza Smelikova settled for silver, while Alva Sonesson of Sweden bagged bronze.