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Drone Racing soars to new heights with The World Games recognition
Killian Rousseau (FRA) – Air Sport (Drone Racing) has been named February 2025 Athlete of the Month, further cementing his status as one of the top competitors in the sport.
When drone racing made its debut at The World Games 2022, few could have predicted the explosive impact it would have. Now, with the highly anticipated return of drone racing at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, China, defending champion Killian Rousseau of France is at the forefront of this revolution—both as a competitor and an ambassador for the sport’s growing popularity.
Rousseau’s dominance has earned him the title of February 2025 Athlete of the Month, a testament to his continued excellence and dedication. Reflecting on his gold medal victory in 2022, he describes it as a defining moment.
“It was for sure one of my biggest accomplishments in my drone racing career,” he recalls. “It pushed me to invest myself more in the competition and travel even more around the world.”
The inclusion of drone racing in The World Games has given the high-speed, high-tech sport a global stage, helping it gain legitimacy and attract a new wave of competitors. Rousseau has witnessed this growth firsthand.
“It’s getting bigger and faster each year,” he says. “It’s slowly becoming one of the most followed new-gen sports, and I want to see more people fighting to be the best on the track.”
With an increasing number of young pilots entering the field, drone racing has rapidly evolved in both talent and technology. Despite being just 20 years old, Rousseau is already considered a veteran in the sport.
“It might sound strange, but at only 20, I am one of the oldest and most experienced pilots fighting for the title,” he notes. “To defend my title, I am putting a lot of work into my pressure management, my drone configuration, and my race experience.”
Training for Chengdu 2025
As Rousseau prepares for The World Games 2025, his training remains as intense as ever. Practicing for up to 20 hours a week, he goes through 50 batteries per session to perfect his technique. His approach focuses not just on speed but also on adapting to new environments—an essential factor for competing in Chengdu.
“For now, the goal is to compete more before Chengdu, especially to prepare myself for the track, weather, jet lag, and, most importantly, my drone setup,” he explains.
Beyond his immediate goal of defending his title, Rousseau is passionate about shaping the future of drone racing. He envisions a thriving scene with more international events and broader audience engagement.
“I would love to be an event organizer that promotes this sport to the new generation,” he shares. Additionally, he sees coaching as a potential future path: “Maybe becoming a coach for new racing pilots would be an opportunity for me to stay in this world and continue to follow this amazing sport.”
When drone racing made its debut at The World Games 2022, few could have predicted the explosive impact it would have. Now, with the highly anticipated return of drone racing at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, China, defending champion Killian Rousseau of France is at the forefront of this revolution—both as a competitor and an ambassador for the sport’s growing popularity.
Rousseau’s dominance has earned him the title of February 2025 Athlete of the Month, a testament to his continued excellence and dedication. Reflecting on his gold medal victory in 2022, he describes it as a defining moment.
“It was for sure one of my biggest accomplishments in my drone racing career,” he recalls. “It pushed me to invest myself more in the competition and travel even more around the world.”
The inclusion of drone racing in The World Games has given the high-speed, high-tech sport a global stage, helping it gain legitimacy and attract a new wave of competitors. Rousseau has witnessed this growth firsthand.
“It’s getting bigger and faster each year,” he says. “It’s slowly becoming one of the most followed new-gen sports, and I want to see more people fighting to be the best on the track.”
With an increasing number of young pilots entering the field, drone racing has rapidly evolved in both talent and technology. Despite being just 20 years old, Rousseau is already considered a veteran in the sport.
“It might sound strange, but at only 20, I am one of the oldest and most experienced pilots fighting for the title,” he notes. “To defend my title, I am putting a lot of work into my pressure management, my drone configuration, and my race experience.”
Training for Chengdu 2025
As Rousseau prepares for The World Games 2025, his training remains as intense as ever. Practicing for up to 20 hours a week, he goes through 50 batteries per session to perfect his technique. His approach focuses not just on speed but also on adapting to new environments—an essential factor for competing in Chengdu.
“For now, the goal is to compete more before Chengdu, especially to prepare myself for the track, weather, jet lag, and, most importantly, my drone setup,” he explains.
Beyond his immediate goal of defending his title, Rousseau is passionate about shaping the future of drone racing. He envisions a thriving scene with more international events and broader audience engagement.
“I would love to be an event organizer that promotes this sport to the new generation,” he shares. Additionally, he sees coaching as a potential future path: “Maybe becoming a coach for new racing pilots would be an opportunity for me to stay in this world and continue to follow this amazing sport.”
