Aruban athlete discusses Chengdu and cultural exchange through sport

Rob Timmermans, a karate athlete from Aruba, is the Caribbean island's sole representative at the 2025 World Games. The 29-year-old went viral on Chinese social media platform Xiao Hongshu, or RedNote, after a video clip of him carrying Aruba's flag during the opening ceremony was posted. Speaking to CGTN, Timmermans gave us his impression of the city of Chengdu and his thoughts on the value of events like the World Games.