The victory that crowned Alhussein Wahdan as The World Games champion remains a defining milestone in both his career and Egyptian wushu.
At The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, the Egyptian fighter captured the men's Sanda -85kg gold medal with a dramatic victory over reigning world champion and world No. 1 Mohammadreza Rigi (IRI), while Spain's Andre Fandino claimed the bronze medal.
The final delivered everything expected of a world-class showdown. Locked level heading into the decisive round, Wahdan found the extra determination needed to prevail in what he describes as one of the toughest contests of his career.
"The moment that remains most vivid in my memory was winning the final against the Iranian athlete, who was the reigning World Champion. It was an extremely tough match. We were tied before the final round, and I managed to secure the victory in the last round after an intense battle. It was one of the hardest matches of my career."
Behind the gold medal was an even more remarkable story of resilience. Wahdan entered the final carrying a left foot injury, but an even greater emotional challenge awaited him. Just one hour before stepping onto the mat, he learned of his father's passing.
"The greatest challenge I faced before my final match was receiving the news of my father's passing just one hour before the fight. It was an incredibly difficult moment, but I knew I had to stay strong, control my emotions, and remain focused in order to achieve such a great accomplishment."
Despite widespread expectations that Rigi would retain his dominance, Wahdan believed he could rewrite the script.
"At a time when everyone expected the Iranian athlete, who was ranked World No. 1, to win the title, I had a different vision. I wanted to turn the challenge into something unforgettable and prove that expectations can be changed."
Standing on top of the podium in Chengdu marked the biggest international success of Wahdan's career and became a landmark achievement for Egyptian wushu.
"Winning the gold medal in Chengdu was a moment of immense pride and happiness for me, especially because it was my first major international gold medal."
He says the victory also elevated the profile of the sport back home.
"This achievement brought significant attention to Egyptian Wushu from the country's sports authorities, who recognized and celebrated this success by offering their support. It also inspired many Wushu athletes and fans in Egypt to continue working hard and believing that they, too, can achieve success on the world stage."
The World Games title has also transformed Wahdan's career, both on and off the competition floor. The experience has reshaped his approach to elite sport while opening new opportunities.
"This victory completely changed my career. It helped me better understand the mindset, discipline, and training required to become a true professional athlete."
He adds that becoming a champion from The World Games has earned him support from sports clubs and strengthened his determination to reach even greater heights.
"It motivated me to pursue even greater achievements at both the international and world levels."
For the next generation of athletes, Wahdan's message is simple.
"Commitment is more important than talent. If you truly believe in your dream, have confidence in your abilities, and remain committed, you can achieve success at the highest international level."
With Karlsruhe 2029 already on the horizon, the Egyptian champion has no intention of settling for a single career-defining triumph. His ambition is not only to defend his TWG crown but also to establish himself among the sport's all-time greats.
"My ambition is to defend my The World Games title and achieve even greater success, reaching the level of legendary world champions such as Muslim Salikhov and Mohsen Seifi."
After overcoming injury, personal tragedy and the world's top-ranked opponent to claim gold in Chengdu, Wahdan has already shown that belief and determination can overcome even the greatest odds.