Deputy director XU Jun kicked off the opening game with the ceremonial tip-off. (Credit: IHB)

On April 8, the final whistle marked the exciting conclusion of the 2025 "Pursuing Scientific Excellence, Energizing New Journeys" basketball tournament at the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The tournament kicked off on March 24 and quickly became a campus favorite, drawing enthusiastic participation from students and staff alike.

Four teams—the Water Team, Algae Team, Fish Team, and Staff Team—battled it out through a series of round-robin matches, semifinals, and a thrilling final. After deputy director XU Jun opened the tournament with a ceremonial tip-off, the games got underway with fast breaks, sharp passes, and cheers echoing around the court.

The semifinals saw a nail-biting clash between the Algae Team and the Staff Team, which ended in a dramatic overtime victory for the Algae Team. They secured third place, while the Staff Team earned an Outstanding Performance Award for their spirited play. 

The grand final between the Water Team and the Fish Team did not disappoint. With lightning-fast transitions and sharp shooting, the Fish Team pulled ahead in the second half, clinching the championship with a series of clutch plays.

After the final buzzer, ZHOU Li, a member of the IHB Executive Committee, presented awards to the winning teams and applauded everyone’s passion and teamwork, encouraging them to bring the same energy and spirit into their scientific pursuits. 

Beyond the trophies and the scores, the tournament strengthened friendships, boosted morale, and added a burst of energy to campus life. Many players said they were inspired to carry the teamwork, resilience, and fighting spirit from the court into their research, helping to drive IHB’s pursuit of scientific excellence even further.

After the final buzzer, ZHOU Li, a member of the IHB Executive Committee, presented awards to the winning teams. (Credit: IHB)