Chengdu, China will host the highly anticipated World Games 2025, and for karate fans, the stage is now set. After a long and competitive qualification journey, the elite lineup of athletes in kata and kumite is officially confirmed. With top competitors from every continent, karate at The World Games promises a spectacular showcase of skill, strategy, and spirit.
🥋 Karate Returns to the World Games Spotlight
Karate, a core discipline in The World Games program, continues to captivate global audiences with its blend of traditional roots and modern athleticism. The 2025 edition brings together 96 athletes across 12 individual categories — 8 in kata (4 men, 4 women) and 10 in kumite (5 men’s and 5 women’s weight classes).
🌟 KATA: Precision and Perfection
👊 Men’s Individual Kata
A high-caliber field is headlined by Damian Quintero (ESP), a multiple-time World and European champion, and rising Chinese star Kangwey Yang, competing on home soil. Other top contenders include:
- Adam Ellithy (EGY)
- Alessio Ghinami (ITA)
- Kakeru Nishiyama (JPN)
- Roman Hrcka (SVK)
- Anthony Vu (SWE)
- Ariel Torres Gutierrez (USA)
🥋 Women’s Individual Kata
All eyes will be on Yiwei Tao (CHN), who aims to thrill local fans, while seasoned champions like Grace Lau (HKG) and Sakura Kokumai (USA) bring experience and flair.
- Valentina Zapata Machado (COL)
- Paola Garcia Lozano (ESP)
- Fatemeh Sadeghi Dastak (IRI)
- Terryana D’Onofrio (ITA)
- Maho Ono (JPN)
🥇 KUMITE: Where Strategy Meets Power
🔥 Women’s Kumite Categories
- 50kg: The speed and explosiveness will be on display with stars like Sara Bahmanyar (IRI) and Yorgelis Salazar(VEN).
- 55kg: A heavyweight showdown with Anzhelika Terliuga (UKR) and world champ Ivet Goranova (BUL) set to clash.
- 61kg: Dynamic fighters including Reem Khamis (GER) and Fatma Naz Yenen (TUR) will make this category fiercely competitive.
- 68kg: Defending champ Iryna Zaretska (AZE) faces a strong field with challengers like Elena Quirici (SUI) and Ceyco Zefanya (INA).
- +68kg: Powerhouses such as Sofya Berultseva (KAZ) and Maria Torres Garcia (ESP) headline a thrilling weight class.
💥 Men’s Kumite Categories
- 60kg: Stars like Eray Samdan (TUR) and Angelo Crescenzo (ITA) are set for an explosive clash.
- 67kg: A truly global field led by Vinicius Figueira (BRA) and Didar Amirali (KAZ).
- 75kg: Europe’s elite, including Andrii Zaplitnyi (UKR) and Karoly Harspataki (HUN), are joined by rising Asian talents.
- 84kg: Champions like Ivan Kvesic (CRO) and Youssef Badawy (EGY) return for gold.
- +84kg: Heavyweight action with the likes of Mehdi Filali (FRA) and Eduard Sagilyan (USA).
🏟️ Chengdu 2025: More Than Just a Competition
Set against the vibrant cultural backdrop of Chengdu, the Games will not only showcase athletic excellence but also celebrate unity through sport. With karate practitioners from over 40 nations, the World Games reaffirms its status as a true global festival.
Karate at Chengdu 2025 will be more than a medal hunt — it’s a celebration of heritage, discipline, and global connection.
📅 Save the Date
📍 Chengdu, China
🗓️ The World Games 2025
🎯 Follow the action live via the official site