The karate world champion, a figure in French sports, has revealed he is going through a period of illness. This announcement was made public on his social media. The former athlete, now 57 years old, chose simple words to describe this stage of life.
The karate world champion Christophe Pinna announced that he has to begin a chemotherapy protocol. This revelation was made today on his social media. Retired for several months, the 57-year-old Niçois publicly spoke to explain the situation. The message was accompanied by a personal text, written in the first person.
Christophe Pinna wrote: “I hesitated for a long time to talk about it. These last few months have shaken me. There was one intervention, then another. In a few days, I will start a new chapter: chemotherapy. I do not see it as a battle. I see it as a path. A path I travel with truth and dignity. I also go through moments of doubt, fatigue, and fragility. There are things we do not choose. But we choose what we do with them. And from all this, something beautiful, something good will emerge. Because even when life strikes, it cannot take away what it has taught me to become. I wish you a wonderful year.”
Born in Nice in 1968, Christophe Pinna started practicing martial arts at the age of 5. The learning process took place within the Nice Elite Sports club. The desire to become the best karateka in the world was displayed very early. Results came quickly.
At 17, he won the title of French junior champion. In 1986, several titles followed. French military champion. French junior champion. European junior champion. The international career then took on another dimension.
The record was built over several years. Six French championship titles. Two victories in the French Cup. Two titles at the Mediterranean Games. Six European championship titles. Two World Cup wins. Four world championship titles. A world all-category champion title in 2000. These results have permanently engraved the name Christophe Pinna in the history of karate.
The “real” challenge, as stated during a speech retracing his personal life and sports career, was the prospect of the Paris 2024 Olympics. An objective presented as ambitious. A project stopped by the discontinuation of the discipline after the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
A reconversion focused on transmission
After the high-level sports career, the commitment continued in another way. Christophe Pinna became a national coach for several teams such as the United States, Greece, and France. A role as Global Athletes’ Representative was also entrusted by the World Karate Federation.
The general public also discovered another facet notably with television presence, marked in the 2000s by participating in Star Academy from 2005 to 2008 and an appearance in Ultimate Girls two years later.
Subsequently, a mission was undertaken for the city hall of Nice. Then a program was created: “Capacity Care”. A system aimed at elderly people losing autonomy. This program was recognized as a non-drug therapeutic means. It was rolled out in over 230 EHPADs in France.
In parallel, the activity as a sports speaker and team builder developed. The interventions focused on stress management. Team revitalization. Self-control. The exchanges relied on high-level experience. Transmission played a central role.
An ongoing sporting commitment
Christophe Pinna is also a partner of the “J’me Bouge!” operation. This project was carried by the municipality. The organization was ensured by the former world champion. For several years, sports challenges have been organized for residents.
On November 9, 2025, the Alpes-Maritimes Marathon hosted a special initiative. Fifteen pairs started between Nice and Cannes. Each duo ran the 42.195 kilometers as a relay. Each participant completed a half-marathon. The objective was clear. To discover the marathon differently. To prepare eventually to run a full marathon.
In this context, the announcement of the illness took on a particular dimension. Now the focus is on the future, a new stage of life before the arrival of new beautiful projects!
