ITF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS BARCELONA 2025
Leighton Callahan
Bronze Adult 3rd Degree Patterns 
Bronze Adult Lightweight Sparring
Bronze Team Patterns
Elliott Callahan
World Champion Adult 4th Degree Patterns 
World Champion Adult Microweight Sparring
Overall Adult Male World Champion 
Bronze Team Patterns
In patterns, Leighton battled his way through rounds against Ireland and USA before narrowly losing to Malaysia in the semi finals, securing a well deserved 3rd place.
Fired up for sparring, and with a composed game plan he fought and defeated USA and Spain. Strategically out manoeuvring his opponents and staying strong throughout each fight, he would face the eventual World Champion from the Netherlands. Showing tremendous heart and never backing down, he exited at the semi final stage and earning another bronze medal. This was Leighton’s first adult sparring medal at a major international tournament, testament to his dedication and hard work since the last World Championships.
Elliott went through patterns against Poland, Bolivia, Argentina before conquering an old rival from USA in the final to be crowned World Champion in the Adult 4th Degree division.
Almost immediately after finishing patterns, Elliott was straight back on for Sparring, once again facing a fierce rival from Ireland. Having battled through Netherlands, Argentina and Italy in the earlier rounds he was determined to complete the set. Some last minute score changes forced a draw, but after the additional time, the fight was settled in Elliott’s favour, making him World Champion once more in the Microweight Category and retaining the title he won at the last World Championships. With both Patterns and Sparring titles, Elliott was presented with the Overall Adult Male Trophy.
As part of the UK Adult Team, the boys won a bronze in Team Patterns. Leighton fought hard in the Team Sparring, with UK beating USA before falling to Argentina in the Quarter Final, just missing out on the medal positions.
Congratulations to our fellow Team UK members and thank you to all the coaches for their hard work and support!
We can’t wait for the next World Championships in 2028!