21-year-old Dimitrios Economo is a rising star in the very versatile combat sport of Kickboxing. He recently became European Champion in the -84 kg class in the championships held in his home city, Athens. “Qualifying for The World Games 2025 through these championships was for me an incredible milestone,” he says.
A championship win with special significance
“In my category, there were 12 competitors representing 12 different countries. I had to win two tough bouts to reach the final, where I faced a strong opponent from England. The final was intense, but I stayed focused, relied on my speed, and executed precise techniques to secure the victory.”
“This isn’t my first major success,” says Economo. “I’ve also won three titles in junior categories earlier in my career: 1 World Championship and 3 European Championships. However, this championship win holds special significance because it marks my transition to the senior level and sets the stage for my journey to The World Games.”
More than a decade in the sport
“I’ve been competing in Kickboxing since the age of 7, so it’s been over a decade of dedication to the sport. My journey began when my sister started training at a Kickboxing gym. Seeing her sparked my curiosity, and my mum encouraged me to give it a try,” tells Economo.
“From the very first session, I fell in love with Kickboxing. Since then, I have been fully committed to giving 100% in my training, which has been the key to reaching the level I am at today. I train hard, stay disciplined, and constantly push myself to improve. I fight for two clubs: Zen Martial Arts, which is my home gym in Greece, and Halker Kiraly Team in Hungary, that I proudly represent in every tournament I compete in.”
“I work to stay ahead of my opponents”
Kickboxing is a sport that combines karate techniques with boxing skills – a blend of kicking and punching. At the highest level it is really fast and physical, so a lot of time is spent in training.
“I train 3-4 hours a day, six days a week, combining conditioning workouts with Kickboxing-specific training. My sessions are intense and focused, covering all aspects of my performance, from strength and endurance to technique and strategy.”
“As a kickboxer who relies heavily on kicking techniques, I am constantly working on refining my skills and adding new strategies to stay ahead of my opponents. My training is always evolving; I experiment with different methods to improve and ensure I’m unpredictable on the tatami.”
Strict diet before big competitions
“Before big competitions, I take extra care of my body by balancing hard training with recovery methods like physical therapy and massages,” says Dimitrios Economo.
“Since I compete in the -84kg weight class, maintaining my weight is crucial. I follow a strict diet to ensure I stay within the weight band while keeping my energy levels high. This disciplined approach helps me perform at my best and stay competitive on the world stage.”
Competing all over the world
Dimitrios Economo competes not only in Greece and Hungary, but all over the world. “Each year, I participate in 9 to 10 tournaments, striving to challenge myself against the best athletes globally. Major competitions I’ve had the honour to compete in include prestigious events in the United States. The European Championship was particularly special as it took place in my home city. These international experiences have been invaluable in shaping me as an athlete and allowing me to compete at the highest level.”
Fitting sport into everyday life
“Kickboxing is a huge part of my life, but I also balance it with my studies at university, where I’m pursuing a degree in sports management. My academic focus complements my athletic career, as it helps me understand the broader aspects of the sports world.”
In addition to competing, Economo is also active as a coach, teaching young kids Point Fighting Kickboxing. “Sharing my knowledge and passion with the next generation is incredibly rewarding,” he says, “and it motivates me to keep improving, both as an athlete and as a coach.”
The International World Games Association (IWGA) is a non-profit-making international sports organisation recognised and supported by the International Olympic Committee. The IWGA comprises 40 International Member Sports Federations. It administers and promotes The World Games (TWG), a multi-sport event held every four years that features around 35 sports on its programme. The next edition of TWG will be in Chengdu (CHN) from 7-17 August 2025. 5,000 participants from more than 100 countries are expected to take part in this 12th edition. The latest Games were hosted by Birmingham, Alabama (USA).
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