As the 2025 ITF World Championship draws near, Filippos Soldatos of Greece prepares to step onto one of the most prestigious stages in the Taekwon-Do world. A determined and thoughtful athlete, Filippo combines discipline, strategy, and self-awareness in his approach to elite competition. In this Q&A, he shares his mindset heading into Barcelona.
–What does it mean to you to represent your country at the World Championship in Barcelona 2025?
Representing my country at the World Championship is an honour and a responsibility. It’s the reward for my hard work and a chance to show the world both my level and the strength of Greek Taekwon-Do.
–What has been the biggest obstacle you’ve overcome to get here?
The biggest obstacle was managing my own doubts and continuing to train even when I didn’t see immediate results.
“Staying disciplined every single day has been my hardest but most important victory.”
–What is the main strategy you plan to use in this tournament? How do you plan to maintain your physical condition throughout the event?
My main strategy is to impose my rhythm from the beginning, using timing and angle changes to create openings.
To maintain my physical condition, I will focus on recovery, proper nutrition, and keeping my mind calm between matches.
“Controlling rhythm and recovery are key to staying sharp throughout the tournament.”
–How much does mental preparation influence your performance?
Mental preparation influences everything.
“You can be in the best physical shape, but if your mind isn’t clear and focused, you won’t perform at your best.”
Confidence and inner calm are the keys to peak performance.
–In such a big tournament, what small details make the difference between a good performance and winning first place?
In a big tournament like this, the difference is in the details: managing energy, adapting quickly to your opponent, being decisive at the right moment, and sticking to your tactics with discipline.
–If you could face an athlete from any other country in an exhibition match, who would you choose and why?
I would choose an athlete with a completely different style to test my skills against something new and learn from their experience. Every match like that is a lesson.
–If you could describe what this world championship means to you in one sentence, what would it be?
“This World Championship is the moment to show who I truly am as an athlete and as a person.”Besides the competition, what are you most looking forward to enjoying during this trip?
I’m looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere of the event, meeting athletes from around the world, and enjoying Barcelona with my team, creating memories that will last forever.
