Karateka Angelo Crescenzo and archer Chiara Rebagliati have been chosen as flagbearers for the Italian delegation at the 12th edition of the World Games, set to take place from 7 to 17 August 2025 in Chengdu, China. The official appointment was confirmed today by the Executive Board of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI).

The prestigious multi-sport event, dedicated to disciplines not included in the Olympic programme, will feature athletes from around the globe competing in 34 sports, 60 disciplines and 256 medal events. Hosting the event is Chengdu, a bustling metropolis of over 20 million inhabitants in southwest China and the capital of Sichuan province. This marks the third time in the event’s history that it will be held in Asia, following Akita 2001 (Japan) and Kaohsiung 2009 (Taiwan), adding another chapter to a legacy that began in 1981.

Born in Sarno in 1993, Angelo Crescenzo is one of the most recognisable faces in Italian karate. A world champion in 2018 and European champion in 2023, he also claimed bronze at the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, confirming his consistent form at the highest level in the under 60 kg kumite category.

Chiara Rebagliati, born in 1997 in Savona, is one of the leading figures in Italian archery. After her Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020 and a long list of international successes, she heads to Chengdu with strong ambitions in women’s recurve archery.

Italy enters the Chinese edition of the Games buoyed by the success achieved at the last edition in the United States, where the Azzurri claimed 13 medals (3 gold, 6 silver, 4 bronze), aiming to once again assert themselves as a major force among the emerging sports nations.

Chiara Rebagliati (Savona, 23 January 1997) is an Italian recurve archer. A product of the Arcieri Cinque Stelle club, she is now part of the Fiamme Oro sports group. Her passion for archery began at the age of 10 during a family trip when, passing by an archery range, she shot her first arrows and instantly fell in love with the sport — so much so that she gave up dance to pursue it. Gifted with outstanding focus and precision, she quickly established herself as one of the leading figures in Italian archery.

Her career includes major achievements both at youth and senior levels, particularly in field archery and on the international circuit. She has won world and European titles both individually and as part of a team in field archery, and her medal collection also includes gold at the 2022 World Games, team silver at the 2022 Mediterranean Games, and double bronze (individual and team) at the 2023 European Games. She has also earned multiple podium finishes in World Cup, Grand Prix, and Italian Championships events.

Rebagliati has represented Italy at two Olympic Games — Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 — reaching the round of 16 in the individual event in France and also competing in the mixed team event alongside Mauro Nespoli.

A law student at the University of Insubria, she was named FITARCO Athlete of the Year for 2021–2022 and was honoured in 2025 among the "Stelle nello Sport" in Liguria. Outside of competition, she also works as a coach and enjoys cooking and listening to music in her spare time. When she shoots, she focuses solely on herself — just her, the bow, and the target.

Angelo Crescenzo (born 5 August 1993 in Sarno, Salerno province) is one of Italy’s most accomplished karate athletes on the international scene, specialising in kumite (under 60 kg category). He began his martial arts journey at a young age, initially practising kickboxing before switching to karate at the age of 10, following in the footsteps of his brother Michele. He trained at Shirai Club San Valentino under coach Antonio Califano, and his talent and passion soon led to notable results and a national team call-up at just 16 years old.

Among his many achievements, Crescenzo’s most prestigious title came in 2018, when he became the first Italian to win a world title in his category at the World Championships in Madrid. His world-level medal collection includes silver in Dubai (2021) and bronze in Budapest (2023). At the European Championships, he boasts three podiums: gold in Guadalajara (2023), silver in the same city in 2019, and another silver in Novi Sad (2018). He also won bronze at the European Games in Minsk (2019) and Cracow (2023).

Thanks to his consistency and discipline — even during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic — Crescenzo achieved his dream of qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where he competed in the –67 kg category, exiting in the opening round.

Renowned for his speed, explosiveness in counter-attacks, and athletic prowess, he represents the Italian Army sports group and is regarded as a role model within the karate community. His aggressive yet controlled fighting style, combined with a strong work ethic and relentless drive for improvement, makes him one of the most respected and well-rounded athletes on the global stage.