WKF Karate 1-Series A in Salzburg Austria

Day two of the Karate 1 Series A Salzburg continued with impressive performances from top competitors around the world. Japan and Montenegro dominated the team kata events.

In the Female Team Kata Japan defeated Portugal with the score 41.40 to 39.80. Their execution was amazing and secured them the gold. They showed everybody why they are a dominant force in kata.

In the very close male team kata final, Montenegro was victorious against Turkiye with the score 41.30 to 41.10. The team’s great technique and perseverance gave them the advantage to be able to win the fight. Nuri Kilic from Turkey won the male kumite -60 kg category by defeating his compatriot Burak Ozdemir 7-5 in a great fight. Kilic was aggressive and his accurate strikes gave him the advantage and was able to secure the victory.

Hnat Pak from Ukraine secured a 1-0 win over Ireland’s Conor O’Sullivan in the male kumite -67 kg final. It was Pak’s biggest international win in his career so far. Germany’s Shara Hubrich took the gold medal in the female kumite -50 kg final. Her precision was the key in the intense 1-0 victory over Ema Sgardelli from Croatia.

The Bulgarian fighter Ivet Goranova claimed the victory in the female kumite -55 kg category. In a very thrilling final against Japan’s Rina Kodo, the Bulgarian was able to come out victorious with the score 5-4. She’s back as a winner after taking the gold medal at the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020.

The third and final day of the Karate 1-Series A in Salzburg continued to bring us stunning performances.

Brian Timmermans from the Netherlands was dominant in the male kumite -84 kg final. He won the fight easily against Luka Vasadze from Georgia with the score 6-1.

Timmermans showed great technique and precision. Belgium’s Quentin Mahauden won the gold medal in the male kumite -75 kg category. With a powerful 3-0 win over Daniele De Vivo from Italy, Mahauden showed how skilled he is. After Italy’s loss in the male final, Pamela Bodei, also from Italy, won the female kumite -68 kg final with a 4-1 victory over Sadea Becirovic from Croatia. Bodei excellent striking gave her the edge.

In the female kumite -61 kg final Maryam Ajaray of Belgium won a thrilling fight against Aizhan Bakirova from Kazakhstan. The fight was back and forth, both athletes impressed and in the end Ajaray won with the score 7-5.

The president of the World Karate Federation Antonio Espinós travelled to Salzburg to attend the final event. He followed the event and discussed the future of the sport. Before the event started he attended the Referee Briefing, where he highlighted the importance of evolution of refereeing in karate.

–The refereeing community plays an essential role in modernising the sport and ensuring it adapts to the new times.

He also expressed his gratitude to the referees for their continued efforts to stay in step with the latest advancements in the sport. Espinós was accompanied by the president of the Austrian Karate Federation and Executive Committee Member of the European Karate Federation, Georg Russbacher. Espinós also met the EKF members and discussed the development of karate in Europe.

–I want to thank Mr. Georg Russbacher for hosting this memorable Karate 1-Series A event in Salzburg. The event has been a testament to the dedication of the Austrian Karate Federation, and it reflects the strength of karate as we look to the future. Karate fans have a unique opportunity to demonstrate their passion for the sport in the months ahead. As we approach the World Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships in Venice, and the Karate World Cup in Pamplona, I am confident that the karate community will join us in celebrating the many values of our sport.

Catch all the finals on the WKF YouTube channel, where you can relive the action-packed day two of the 2024 Karate 1 Series A Salzburg.