Sara Bahmanyar wins Iran’s first gold at Chengdu 2025 World Games

Iran’s Sara Bahmanyar clinched the country’s first gold medal at the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China, after a dominant performance in the women’s 50 kg kumite event.

Serving as Iran’s flagbearer and a standout of the national women’s karate team, Bahmanyar delivered a powerful performance in Chengdu—the capital of China’s Sichuan province—where the Games are being held from August 7 to 17.

The karate events took place on August 8 and 9 at the Jianyang Cultural and Sports Centre Gymnasium, featuring twelve disciplines (six male, six female) with 96 competitors from 38 nations.

Bahmanyar emerged victorious in the women’s 50 kg kumite final by winning on a referees' decision (hantei) following a scoreless match against an opponent from Kazakhstan.

The World Games, a major international multi-sport event spotlighting disciplines beyond the Olympic roster, is staging its 12th edition in Chengdu, first time in mainland China.

Throughout the Games, approximately 5,000 athletes from over 100 countries are competing across 34–35 sports, with around 253 medal events spread across 28 venues.

Bahmanyar’s career is marked with notable achievements. The Iranian athlete claimed a gold medal at the 2025 Karate 1-Premier League in Paris, marking a significant international victory.

She also secured bronze in the women’s kumite 50 kg category at the 2018 World Karate Championships in Madrid. She earned multiple bronze medals in continental competitions—including at the 2022 and 2023 Asian Karate Championships, the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, and the 2025 Asian Championships in Tashkent.

Iran’s sports delegation, competing under the slogan “Strong Iran, Strong Sport”, has sent 30 athletes to Chengdu to participate in nine sports disciplines.

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