Steven Da Costa, a three-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist from the 2021 Tokyo Games, has officially retired from competitive sports at the age of 29. Known affectionately as "the little prince of French karate," Da Costa was one of France's most celebrated athletes in the martial art of karate. His decision to retire comes after the sport was removed from the Olympic program following the 2020 Tokyo Games, a move that significantly impacted the competitive landscape for many athletes in the discipline. Karate had been a part of the Olympic Games since 2016, but after its debut in Tokyo, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided not to include it in the 2024 Paris Games. This decision was based on a review of the sport's popularity and global reach, which led to its exclusion from the Olympic program. For athletes like Da Costa, who had built their careers around Olympic competition, the removal of karate from the Games was a major factor in their decision to retire. Da Costa, who won gold in the men's -60 kg category at the 2021 Olympics, expressed that he had lost his motivation to compete after the sport's Olympic status was revoked. He explained that the Olympic Games had been the pinnacle of his athletic career and that without the chance to compete at that level, he felt his drive had diminished. His retirement marks the end of an era for French karate, as he was one of the country's most prominent figures in the sport. Moving forward, Da Costa plans to transition into coaching, where he hopes to share his knowledge and experience with the next generation of athletes. He aims to contribute to the development of karate in France and potentially help the sport regain a place in the Olympic Games in the future. His shift from competitor to coach reflects a common path for many elite athletes who seek to remain involved in their sport after retirement.