San Sebastian, Spain – 21 September 2026 – The extraordinary story of Sandra Sánchez, Olympic and The World Games champion and Chair of the International World Games Association (IWGA) Athletes Committee, will come to the big screen this month with the world premiere of Karateka.
Directed by Aritz Moreno, the new feature film tells the story of Sánchez’s remarkable journey in karate – from her beginnings in Talavera de la Reina, Spain, to becoming one of the most successful athletes in the history of the sport and winning Olympic gold at the age of 39.
The film hads its world premiere tonight, on 21 September, at the San Sebastián International Film Festival, where it was screened in the Velodrome Section. Karateka will be released in Spanish cinemas on 30 October, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures Spain.
For the IWGA, the story carries a particular significance. Sánchez is not only one of the most accomplished athletes in The World Games community, but today continues to play an important leadership role within the organisation as Chair of the IWGA Athletes Committee and a member of the IWGA Executive Committee (ExCo).
Her sporting career at The World Games began with a silver medal in women's kata at The World Games 2017 in Wrocław, Poland. Five years later, she reached the top of the podium at The World Games 2022 in Birmingham, USA, winning gold in women's kata.
That victory added The World Games title to an already extraordinary career that included Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020, world and European titles and numerous international accolades. Sánchez is widely regarded as one of the greatest karateka of all time.
But Karateka goes beyond the medals and titles to explore the determination, relationships and challenges behind Sánchez's success. The film follows her journey alongside her coach and life partner, Jesús del Moral, and explores how she continued to pursue excellence despite the conventions and expectations surrounding age and elite sport.
“Sánchez’s story is a powerful example of what The World Games stand for: extraordinary athletes, remarkable sports and the determination to challenge what people believe is possible,” said IWGA President Anna Arzhanova.
“Sánchez has achieved the highest level of success as an athlete, but she is also now making an important contribution to the future of our organisation through her leadership of the Athletes Committee and her work on the Executive Committee. We are delighted to see her incredible journey celebrated on the big screen, and I hope her story will inspire many more athletes to believe that no dream is too ambitious.”
As Chair of the IWGA Athletes Committee, Sánchez represents the athlete voice within the organisation and contributes to the development of The World Games and its sports from an athlete perspective. Her role on the Executive Committee further strengthens the athlete perspective within the IWGA's governance structure.
She said: “The World Games have been an important part of my journey, first as an athlete and now representing the athletes’ voice within the IWGA. Karateka is not only a story about medals or winning; it is about all those moments when life challenges you, and you decide to keep moving forward. I hope that sharing my story can help others believe that sometimes what seems impossible is simply a path that has not been walked yet.”
The premiere of Karateka comes at a significant moment for the IWGA and its athlete community, as the organisation continues to prepare for The World Games 2029 in Karlsruhe, Germany, where karate will once again feature on the official sports programme.
About Karateka
Karateka is directed by Aritz Moreno and stars Andrea Ros as Sandra Sánchez and Patrick Criado as Jesús del Moral. Produced by Atresmedia Cine, Sr. & Sra. and Karateka A.I.E., in co-production with Wrong Men, Apaches Entertainment and Colosé Producciones, the film gas premiered at the San Sebastián International Film Festival on 21 September 2026 and will be released in Spanish cinemas on 30 October 2026 by Warner Bros. Pictures Spain.