Iran’s Atousa Golshadnezhad makes history with gold at World Karate Championships

Tehran, IRNA – Iran’s Atousa Golshadnezhad has made history by winning the first-ever gold medal for Iranian women at the 2025 World Karate Championships in Cairo, Egypt.

In the final of the women’s 61‑kg category, Golshadnezhad defeated China’s Gong Li, the reigning world champion and gold medalist of the Hangzhou Asian Games, securing the gold with a commanding victory on Sunday.

She advanced to the round of 16 after defeating Youmbi Nelly Doris of Cameroon 8‑0, then overcame Sevinch Otaboyeva of Uzbekistan 2‑1, along with one draw against a Latvian athlete.

Golshadnezhad went on to beat Barbara Riveros of Chile in the quarterfinals and Maria Zatova of Belarus in the semifinals, before defeating Wafa Mahjoub of Tunisia to reach the final.

Her triumph marks the first gold medal ever won by an Iranian woman in senior world competitions, coming just weeks after another major victory.

Earlier, in the women’s 50 kg category, Sara Bahmanyar claimed a bronze medal after defeating Ecuador’s Lili Alvarado 3‑0. Bahmanyar had previously won a world bronze medal in 2018.

The World Karate Championships, which began on Thursday with participants from 87 countries, concluded on Sunday with ranking matches and finals across various weight categories.