9 names withdrew from the 2025 World Games
Just weeks before the opening of the 2025 World Games, the karate competition has undergone a wave of late changes as several top athletes withdraw and replacements are confirmed by the World Karate Federation (WKF).
Chengdu, China – 11 July 2025 — The latest update, released on 8 July, reveals the withdrawal of key competitors from across multiple categories due to injury, retirement, or personal decisions, with replacements now stepping into the spotlight.
🥋 Official Withdrawals and Replacements
Since the initial list of 96 qualified athletes was announced by the WKF on 3 April, a total of 10 withdrawals have been confirmed, affecting both kata and kumite events across men's and women's divisions.
Here’s a breakdown of the latest changes:
Women’s Kata
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Claudia Laos-Loo (Canada) – Withdrawn
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Valentina Zapato Machado (Colombia) – Replaced
Women’s Kumite –50 kg
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Sofia Cardenas Balcaza (Colombia) – Withdrawn
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Yamina Lahyanssa (Canada) – Replaced
Men’s Kata
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Damian Quintero (Spain) – Withdrawn
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Tarık Koç (Türkiye) – Replaced
Men’s Kumite –67 kg
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Weixing Chen (China) – Withdrawn
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Ömer Abdurrahim Özer (Türkiye) – Replaced
Men’s Kumite –75 kg
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Shaojie Sun (China) – Withdrawn
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Junbo Xu (China) – Replaced
Men’s Kumite –84 kg
A major shake-up occurred in this category with three withdrawals:
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Youssef Badawy (Egypt) – Withdrawn due to injury
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Mahdi Khodabakhshi (Iran) – Withdrawn
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Jinchao Chen (China) – Withdrawn
Replacements:
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Peiqi Duan (China)
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Eduard Gasparyan (Russia)
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Brian Timmermans (Netherlands)
Men’s Kumite +84 kg
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Djorde Tesanovic (Serbia) – Withdrawn
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Rob Timmermans (Aruba) – Replaced
🎯 What It Means for the Competition
The exit of several elite names—including multiple-time world medalist Damian Quintero and Egyptian sensation Youssef Badawy—dramatically shifts the dynamics of the tournament. Their absence creates an open field, increasing the chances for rising talents and reserve athletes to make a name on the global stage.
In particular, the Male Kumite –84 kg division has transformed entirely, with nearly half the bracket replaced just weeks before the event. This division, once set to be one of the most stacked, now features fresh faces from China, Russia, and the Netherlands.
Meanwhile, Türkiye benefits from this shift, adding two male competitors—Tarık Koç and Ömer Abdurrahim Özer—to its already strong squad.
🇨🇳 Host Nation Adjustments
As host, China continues to utilize its reserved athlete slots to maintain representation in each category. With multiple withdrawals from its original team, replacements like Junbo Xu and Peiqi Duan will now carry national hopes in Chengdu.
Final Thoughts
As anticipation builds for the karate competitions on 8–9 August, these changes introduce an element of unpredictability. Fans can expect unexpected matchups, breakthrough performances, and perhaps a few underdog stories.
The updated athlete list ensures all categories remain fully competitive, and the event promises high-level action despite the withdrawals. The WKF is expected to publish final draws and match schedules later this week.
Written by Artificial Intelligence