Congratulations to the Athletes of the Day on Wednesday at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, China: the Greece Kickboxing Fighter Dimitros Economo who won Gold in Point Fighting and Katerina Markova, Casting Champion from Czechia promoting her sport on TWG Plaza. IWGA Vice President Tom Dielen presented each with a certificate and a watch, courtesy of Tissot. In addition to the watch they received a gift from the Local Organzing Committee as well.
Becoming a Star: Dimitrios Economo
The “rising” label no longer fits Dimitrios Economo. The 21-year-old Greek kickboxer has officially arrived at the top. In the -84 kg final at The World Games 2025, he defeated Mexico’s Hector Solorio in a commanding performance – sealing not just gold, but his status as one of the sport’s brightest stars.
It’s been quite a year for Economo. Just months earlier, he claimed the European Championship in front of a home crowd in Athens. “Qualifying for The World Games 2025 through these championships was, for me, an incredible milestone,” he said. On Friday, he reached another one – this time with a golden glow. His debut at TWG could hardly have been better.
Economo’s journey began when he was just seven years old, following his sister into a local kickboxing gym. “My mum encouraged me to give it a try,” he recalls – proof once again that mothers really do know best. More than a decade of relentless training later, he stands as proof that passion and persistence pay off.
Learning from the best: Katerina Markova
Casting may have last featured as an official TWG sport in Duisburg back in 2005, but it has never left the World Games family. This year, on TWG Plaza in Chengdu, the sport made a vibrant return – thanks to one of its greatest ambassadors.
Enter Katerina Markova from Czechia, a staggering 72-time world champion. The federation couldn’t have chosen a better representative. Patient and precise, she spent the week introducing locals and visitors to the unique discipline of Casting.
Born from angling, the sport swaps hooks for targets, taking place on sports fields or grassy areas with specially adapted rods for fly or plug casting. The aim: hit a target on the ground with pinpoint accuracy. Think archery – but with a rod instead of a bow. Under Markova’s guidance, the crowd quickly understood: in Casting, skill, focus, and finesse are the real catch.