Escape Instagram to win: Ukraine's Rizvan Talibov takes karate gold at World Games
Rizvan Talibov (photo: instagram.com/rizvantalibov)
Ukrainian karateka Rizvan Talibov became the champion of the 2025 World Games in the under 84 kg category. In an interview with RBC-Ukraine, the athlete shared his emotions after the triumph and explained why karate deserves a place in the Olympic program.
'The feeling of victory did not come immediately'
According to Talibov, the first emotions after the final were restrained. Only later did he realize that he had achieved one of the most important victories in his career.
"I wanted to sit down and realize what we had done and how much preceded this. I won all the fights, and there were no close matches. I felt happiness not only from the result but also from being on the tatami as I wanted to see myself," Talibov said.
He emphasizes that before this, he had no individual gold medal at European or world championships, so this victory became special.
Symbolic victory
For Rizvan, this final was more than just a fight for gold. It was a meeting with an opponent who had twice stopped him on the way to the title.
"Four years ago, at the previous World Games, I lost to him in the semifinals. This year, at the European Championship, I also stopped at the semifinals because of him. And now we met in the final, and this time I won. It was symbolic," the athlete noted.
How he managed to turn the fight around
The final match started at a high pace. According to the Ukrainian, Kvesic acted as expected: he tried to pressure from the first seconds to gain an advantage, but quickly exhausted his strength.
Talibov admits that the key was not to give in to emotions, endure the initial pressure, and wait for a moment to counterattack.
"I understood that he would go forward from the first seconds because he would not have the stamina to keep up with me for the whole fight. So, I thought, let him get tired; he would last a maximum of 20-30 seconds. That's what happened... After that, he could not work so actively," the karateka said.
Mental focus and 'detox' from social media
Rizvan also emphasizes that he paid special attention to psychological preparation. He consciously removed everything from his life that could distract him.
"I put together my puzzle of psychological readiness. Maybe not everyone will understand, but every athlete must find their approach... I committed not to go on Instagram for four months," the champion said.
He adds that even in everyday life, he thought about sports, which helped him reach peak form.
"There was not a minute when I didn't think about karate. Even while brushing my teeth, watching a movie, or reading a book. Absolutely everything in my life was connected with karate," Rizvan says.
New heights ahead
Although the World Games gold is one of the highest achievements in his career (and in the careers of current karate athletes in general), Talibov is focused on new achievements.
"I remembered Usyk's words, who at 38 said that this is only the beginning. And I am 27 years old. That is a young age. I still have many peaks ahead," the athlete said.
Karate and the Olympics
Rizvan also believes that karate should return to the Olympic program because the level of competition at the World Games was incredibly high.
"Those who do karate know well what level was at these World Games. Especially in the under 67 kg category. In my opinion, it was even stronger than at the 2020 Olympics. At least, it was definitely not weaker," the athlete assures.
"When I came on the first day of the competition and watched the fights, I realized that this sport deserves a place only at the Olympics. And with all due respect to other disciplines, the level of competitiveness in karate at these Games was one of the highest. Maybe in a few other sports it was similar, but definitely not higher," Talibov noted.
"In general, karate showed that it deserves to be in the highest sports arena. I think it's just a matter of time...," the champion added.
We also revealed how many Ukrainians are competing in which sports at the World Games in China.
