At the 2025 Chengdu World Games, Hong Kong’s Lau Mo Sheung made history by clinching the women’s kata gold in karate, delivering the region’s first-ever women’s title and second overall World Games gold.
With a flawless 45.3-point routine, the 33-year-old edged out Japan’s Maho Ono (silver) and Spain’s Paola Garcia Lozano (bronze). For Lau, the victory carried deep personal meaning: "This gold medal was a promise to my grandmother, who passed away two weeks ago," she said. "This world title makes it real I am a world champion now."
Global Podium Highlights
In the men’s kata final, Japan’s Kakeru Nishiyama claimed gold, followed by America’s Ariel Torres Gutierrez (silver) and Italy’s Alessio Ghinami (bronze).
Dramatic Kumite Battles
Drama struck in the women’s kumite -55kg semifinals when the Chinese mainland’s Wei Yuchun saw her 9-1 lead erased after a successful protest by Ukraine’s Anzhelika Terliuga. Restarted from 1-0 in Terliuga’s favor, Wei eventually finished fourth. Germany’s Mia Bitsch went on to win gold, with Terliuga taking silver and Chile’s Valentina Toro Meneses claiming bronze. "Having all nine points stripped and restarting from 1-0 down I’ve never experienced this," Wei reflected. "She was my idol as a child, and now I believe I can beat her."
Upsets and New Champions
In women’s kumite -50kg, Iran’s Sara Bahmanyar shocked World No. 1 Moldir Zhangbyrbay of Kazakhstan, securing gold while Croatia’s Ema Sgardeli took bronze. In men’s kumite, Turkey’s Eray Samdan triumphed over Japan’s Hiromu Hashimoto for -60kg gold, with Greece’s Christos Xenos earning bronze. Morocco’s Said Oubaya knocked out Japan’s Yugo Kozaki in the -67kg final, and Jordan’s Abdel Rahman Tayel Hayel Almasatfa grabbed bronze.
These results reflect a shifting karate landscape, where dedication and bold performances are rewriting the playbook on global talent.
Reference(s):
Lau Mo Sheung wins historic gold for China's Hong Kong at World Games
cgtn.com
