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Iran names karate quadruple for 2025 World Games
Four-time Asian bronze medalist Fatemeh Sadeqi will be among the favorites in the women’s individual kata event, having walked away with ultimate prize in January’s Karate 1-Series A event in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Former world bronze medalist Sara Bahmanyar will be the sole Iranian girl in the kumite contests, vying success in the -50kg weight class – also featuring world champion Moldir Zhangbyrbay of Kazakhstan and silver medalist Erminia Perfetto of Italy.
Bahmanyar was also a gold medalist in the Georgian capital.
In the men’s draw, reigning world silver medalist Mahdi Khodabakhshi will be the Irania participant in the kumite -84kg contests, leading the pack alongside Egyptian Youssef Badawy, who beat the Iranian to the 2023 world title in Budapest.
Four-time Asian gold medalist Saleh Abazari will part of the +84kg draw, which will be headlined by the world gold medalist Mehdi Filali of France and Egyptian Taha Tarek Mahmoud, beaten by the Frenchman in the 2023 final.
A total of 96 athletes have earned their spots in the karate event of the World Games – scheduled for August 8-9 – with eight competitors in each category.