It’s every athlete’s dream to represent their country on the world stage. For three top Portuguese kickboxers, that dream almost turned into a nightmare. They had earned their spots at the Chengdu 2025 World Games in China. But a sudden change back home threatened their chances to compete under the national flag.
The Portuguese Olympic Committee (COP) recently made a crucial announcement. They will ensure Portugal is represented in kickboxing at the upcoming games. The Chengdu 2025 World Games kick off on August 7. This decision came after the Portuguese government altered the Public Sporting Utility Status (EUPD) of the Portuguese Kickboxing and Muaythai Federation (FPKM).
The government decided to remove the FPKM’s public utility status for kickboxing. The federation only kept this status for Muaythai. This left Portugal without an official public body responsible for kickboxing. It was a big problem, especially with athletes already qualified for a major international event.
Despite this challenge, three Portuguese athletes had secured their places. Sofia Oliveira, Catarina Dias, and Iuri Fernandes were recognized by the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO). WAKO is the sport’s international governing body and is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). These athletes were ready to compete, but their national support system was suddenly missing for kickboxing.
The COP quickly stepped in. They announced they would integrate Sofia Oliveira, Catarina Dias, and Iuri Fernandes into Portugal’s official delegation for Chengdu. This move means the COP will handle all the logistical support for their participation. They will also bring two coaches, with Raul Lemos coordinating the team.
The Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth (IPDJ) will cover the expenses for this delegation. The State Secretariat for Sport also showed its support. They confirmed their solidarity with the COP’s decision and with the athletes themselves.
This outcome means the young athletes can compete for Portugal, not just as representatives of WAKO. The COP expressed its happiness that these athletes will get to compete for their country. This situation highlights the COP’s strong commitment to protecting athletes’ rights. They made sure these athletes could pursue their dreams, even when faced with unusual circumstances. The World Games will run from August 7 to August 17.