With her sanda star still on the rise, Khlifi Rimel, at 19, is already one of Tunisia’s top sanda champions. In a dazzling milestone career moment, she won the gold medal at the 16th World Wushu Championships in Fort Worth, USA in 2023, to become World Champion in the 75kg sanda division. Previously she had won the gold medal in the 70kg division in the Junior African Championship in Algeria in 2022, and the 70kg gold medal at the Junior Arabic Championship in 2022. She has won 1st place in the National Tunisian Sanda Championship since 2019 in both junior and senior categories. Most recently, Khlifi won the silver medal at the 10th Sanda World Cup in 2025, lighting up the leitai as she made a lively, spirited and technically impressive showing against one of sanda’s most legendary fighters. Not yet twenty years old, this Tunisian World Champion is ready to show us her full sanda potential, with her star only destined to become brighter.
Wushu Beginnings
Khlifi Rimel, 19, hails from Ettadhamen, in the capital city of Tunis. She recalls, “I discovered wushu and sanda when I was 13 through a local sports club in my neighborhood. I was looking for a sport that combines physical strength and mental discipline. My early training sessions were challenging but exciting, and that's when I truly fell in love with the sport. I currently compete in the 75kg weight class."
What attracted Khlifi to sanda was the balance between power and strategy in fighting, she says, “along with the discipline and respect that the sport teaches. At the time, there weren’t many girls training sanda in Tunisia, but that only motivated me more to stand out. What I love most about sanda is how it teaches patience, self-control, and gives me strong confidence in myself.”
Khlifi’s first sanda competition was a small local event. She remembers, “I was very nervous, but after my first fight, I felt a strong passion for competing. The sanda scene in Tunisia was limited in terms of events, but the competitive spirit was high. I improved my skills through daily training and learning from my coaches. After that, I began competing in national championships, and then moved on to continental events, which helped me grow a lot as an athlete.”
Junior Wushu Experiences Build Sanda Foundation
Khlifi remarks that, “As a junior athlete, the competition was tough, but I was always determined to prove myself. Having won 1st place in the National Tunisian Sanda Championship since 2019 in both junior and senior categories was the result of consistent hard work and focus. The national championship experience was a key part of my journey, giving me confidence and experience to move forward to international competitions.”
In 2022, Khlifi was 16 years old when she competed in the Junior African Championship in Algeria and won the gold medal in the 70kg category. “It was a very special experience for me,” she says, “because it was my first time competing at a continental level. I faced athletes from various countries, which taught me how to deal with different fighting styles under pressure. That title gave me a big confidence boost and helped me prepare mentally and physically for major senior-level competitions.”
Bursting Onto the World Stage at the 16th WWC
“The 16th World Wushu Championships in 2023 in Fort Worth, USA, was one of the most important milestones in my career,” Khlifi states. “The preparation was intense, with a strong focus on physical conditioning and strategy. Traveling to the U.S. was an entirely new experience, and the atmosphere of the competition was both exciting and challenging.
My matches were tough, and I faced highly skilled opponents. In the final, my opponent was strong, but I had studied her style well and used a strategy that combined smart defense with explosive attacks. That approach helped me win.” She stood proudly on the top podium as the Tunisian flag rose behind her, a new World Champion.
“What made the experience even more special,” she adds, “was the support and unity within the Tunisian team — we truly pushed and motivated each other. Winning the gold medal at a World Championship meant everything to me. It was a dream come true and a proud moment for my country. It proved that with hard work and belief, nothing is impossible.”
Silver at the Sanda World Cup
Participating in the Sanda World Cup in China was a truly remarkable experience Khlifi recalls, noting that, “Traveling to Jiangyin and competing in a world-class event gave me a sense of pride and responsibility. In the final, I faced the legendary Shahrbanoo Mansourian, one of the most prominent names in sanda. The match was intense and challenging, and although it wasn’t easy, it was a valuable learning opportunity for me. I’m proud to have earned the silver medal in such a high-level competition.”
Training and Traveling with the Tunisian Team
“Training and traveling with the Tunisian team feels like being part of a family,” Khlifi describes. “We support each other through every moment, whether it's before a tough match or after a win or loss. This mutual support creates a positive atmosphere and boosts our confidence during competitions.”
“I’ve developed friendships with athletes from various countries through international competitions,” Khlifi adds. “We stay connected through social media and continue to support one another. As for opponents, there’s always mutual respect. I give my all during the match, but outside the ring, I maintain a friendly and respectful relationship. That balance is important and helps us grow both as athletes and individuals.”
“The best part of these championships, Khlifi says, “is the constant challenge and the opportunity to represent my country with pride. One of my most memorable experiences was competing in the 2023 World Championship, which was a major personal milestone. What I find most rewarding in sanda is the continuous learning, physical and mental growth, and the satisfaction of seeing hard work pay off.”
Sanda Life – And Challenges
Khlifi notes that her sanda training routine is intense and well-structured. She elaborates, “It includes morning fitness sessions—running and strength training—followed by technical and tactical drills in the ring. I also work on my mental preparation through focus and breathing exercises. Proper nutrition and sleep are essential parts of my preparation as well.”
“I’ve faced several challenges,” she says. “One of the biggest was balancing my studies with training, especially during demanding periods. Coming from a modest family and growing up in a working-class neighborhood also meant dealing with limited financial resources, which made it difficult to access equipment and participate in competitions early on. Additionally, injuries were another tough obstacle, particularly when they came before major tournaments. However, through determination and the support of my coaches and team, I managed to overcome these hardships and keep moving forward.”
Khlifi states that her coaches have played a vital role in every stage of her journey. “They believed in me from the beginning,” she says, “and guided me from amateur to professional level. They taught me not only sanda techniques but also discipline, mental strength, and self-confidence. Their constant support has been a major factor in my success.”
Wushu and Sanda in Tunisia and Africa
“Wushu/Sanda has grown significantly in Tunisia and across Africa in recent years,” Khlifi tells us, “with more athletes involved and greater participation in international events. I believe the sport has a bright future, especially with growing awareness and interest. Compared to sports like MMA, sanda is very technical and disciplined, combining striking and throws. It provides an excellent foundation for anyone looking to transition into MMA.”
Khlifi adds, “The inclusion of wushu in the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games is a historic and very important step, especially for Africa. This will help promote the sport on a wider scale and inspire more young people to discover and practice it. It also makes the Olympic dream more accessible for athletes. To develop wushu in Africa, we need real investment in infrastructure, proper training facilities, and well-qualified coaches. Athletes also need financial and psychological support, and wushu should be further integrated into schools. Media coverage is also key to raising awareness and growing the sport.”
Wushu Life – Balance and Growth
Khlifi tells us that her family has always been a strong support system throughout her sports journey. “Although sanda was unfamiliar to them at first,” she says, “their encouragement grew stronger with every achievement I made. My parents always motivated me to balance both education and sports, and they stood by me through every challenge. I’m truly grateful to them and to all my family members for their constant encouragement and belief in me.”
“I’m currently a university student,” Khlifi says, “and I put in a lot of effort to balance my studies with training. Outside of sports and academics, I enjoy listening to music and reading books that inspire personal growth. I also love spending time with my family and friends—it helps me recharge and maintain a healthy mental balance.”
Wushu Transformations
“Sanda has transformed my life on so many levels,” Khlifi says, adding, “It taught me discipline, patience, and self-confidence. It made me believe that success comes only through hard work and persistence. As for my goals, I aspire to represent Tunisia in the biggest international events and help promote this sport in my country, especially among young girls. I want to be a role model and leave a positive legacy in the history of Tunisian sanda.”
Sanda Future
“This sport has given me so much,” Khlifi says emphatically, “and I feel a strong sense of responsibility to give back. After retiring, I hope to become a coach or mentor for the next generation and help raise the level of sanda in Tunisia by passing on my experience and knowledge to young talent.”
But for now, Khlifi is gazing at gold again on the horizon, as the next World Wushu Championships loom large. “I’m training seriously in preparation for the 17th World Wushu Championships in Brazil,” she tells us. “This global event is a new opportunity for me to proudly represent Tunisia and to prove myself against some of the world’s top athletes. I’m currently focused on improving my fitness and techniques to be in the best shape possible.”
Gratitude, Philosophy & Inspiration
In her final thoughts, Khlifi says graciously, “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has supported me throughout my journey. Thank you to my family who has always stood by me, to my friends who believed in me and encouraged me, to my coach who helped build my confidence and improve my skills, and to the Tunisian Wushu Federation for their continuous support and for providing the right conditions that allowed us to shine.”
“I would also like to share a message with every young person growing up in underprivileged neighborhoods: never let your circumstances stop you from dreaming. With determination and hard work, you can reach the highest levels—no matter how modest your beginnings. I’m one of you, and I believe that anyone with strong willpower can achieve the impossible.
“To the rising young athletes: hold on to your passion, keep training and growing. The road is not easy, but it’s worth every step—because the reward is always something to be proud of.”
