Guadalajara became the venue for the second stage of the Youth Karate League-1. About 3,000 athletes from eighty countries competed in Spain, identifying the strongest in different ages.
Guadalajara is well known to karate fans, having hosted several major events, including the European Championships in 2023 and 2019 and the Serie A in 2018. Spain is considered one of the sport’s main hubs, so you would expect the Youth League to be extremely competitive. And it is.
Guadalajara set a record for the number of participants this season. More than 2,200 athletes from 86 countries competed in the first stage of the Youth League in Fujairah, while last year 2,600 karatekas from 76 countries competed in a similar tournament in La Coruña. The hosts had the largest delegation of 618 athletes. Italy was second with 417, and Portugal rounded out the top three with 191.
In the junior competition in the weight category up to 68 kg, seventh place was taken by Naser Ahmed. The Swedish karateka, can safely put the tournament down to his credit. He started from the second round, won three victories, but lost to Russomanno Gioele Antonio in the quarterfinals. The Italian reached the final, and Naser Ahmed got a chance to fight in the consolation block. But in the fight for the right to fight for the bronze medal, he lost to Fernandez Perez Ivan (Spain) – everything was decided by one accurate blow. As a result, the Swede finished the Youth League seventh.
In the cadet competition in the 52 kg weight category, two «Budo-Nord» representatives stopped just a few steps away from the podium: Swede Mustafa Josef took fifth place, and Belgian Boscolo Nathan – seventh. During the tournament, Mustafa won five victories, which brought him 340 points. In the fight for bronze, he lost to Marino Ciro (Italy) with a score of 1:2.
As for Boscolo, he won four fights, losing in the consolation block. In the junior competition in the weight category up to 84 kg, Kramarenko Daniil (UKR) and Haag Ozzy (SWE) competed. However, their tournament path was very short – they lost in the first round.
In the U-14 category, in the weight category up to 40 kg, three Portuguese karatekas took to the tatami, However, the outcome of the performance was disappointing: Rebelo Tiago, Reis Diego and Pena Rodrigo lost in their first fights.
The next Eotn Laguë tournament will be held in the Croatian city of Poreč. The tournament, which will take place from June 26 to 29, is expected to attract even more athletes.
Local Karatekas Prevail as Youth Karate Dazzles in Guadalajara – WKF
Young Champions Shine on Day 1 of Karate 1-Youth League in Guadalajara – WKF
Karate’s Rising Stars Shine on Day Two in Guadalajara – WKF
Karate 1-Youth League in Fujairah 2025 | Martial Art News
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