Spain dominate in Kata as France and Russia prevail in Kumite at #Karate1Pamplona

The 2022 Karate 1-Series A Pamplona concluded today with a celebration of the greatness of Karate and with Spain, France, and Russia topping the medal table.

The Spanish delegation won two gold medals today, both of them in Kata. Gema Morales opened the gold medal count for the hosts with her victory in Female Kata. The Spanish karateka who has won medals in international tournaments in both Kata and Kumite defeated Nicole Mota of Brazil with a score of 25.34 to 25.26.

Spain could not complete the victories in Individual Kata as the gold medal in Male Kata went to Ryuji Moto of Japan. The number 65 in the World Ranking upset Spain’s Raul Martin with a score of 26.52 to 25.72.

The title in Female Team Kata went to the organising country as the final of the category was an All-Spain affair. In Male Team Kata, Spaniards were overpowered by Kuwait.

 

EXPERIENCED KARATEKAS PREVAIL IN PAMPLONA

Top karatekas used the experience in their favour to win gold in Pamplona. Two-time continental champion Valeria Kumizaki of Brazil claimed the title in Female Kumite -50kg after defeating France’s Tiphaine Bonnarde 4-0.

Meanwhile, two-time European champion Elena Quirici of Switzerland was the winner of Female Kumite -61kg after edging Spain’s Carlota Fernandez by “Hantei” or decision (0-0).

In Female Kumite -68kg, the crown went to World Championships bronze medallist Lynn Snel of The Netherlands who defeated Fabienne Kaufmann of Switzerland 7-4.

PROMISING KARATEKAS LEAVING MARK

Pamplona gave up-and-coming karatekas the opportunity to leave their mark. Junior continental champion Mia Bitsch of Germany won her first senior title after shocking Olympian Bettina Plank of Austria in the final of Female Kumite -55kg (1-0) in one of the biggest upsets of the day.

 

Meanwhile, in Male Kumite -60kg the triumph was for Danilo Greco of Italy who defeated Aymane Takzima of Ukraine by 5-3.

Former Junior World Championships medallist Ernest Sharafutdinov of Russia celebrated his success in the WKF World Ranking Challenge with the crown in Male Kumite -67kg. The Russian karateka beat Spain’s Samy Ennkhaili by 7-3.

France went home with two gold medals as well. Kilian Cizo who the title in Male Kumite -75kg after defeating Italy’s Ahmed El Sharaby (3-3) while Dany Makamata prevailed in Male Kumite -84kg following a triumph over Italy’s Andrea Minardi (2-2).

 

The list of gold medallists in Pamplona is completed with Tatiana Zyabkina of Russia who edged Niamh Junner of Scotland in the final of Female Kumite +68kg with a victory by “Hantei” or decision (0-0), and Ondrej Bosak of the Czech Republic who beat France’s Salim Bendiab in the final of Male Kumite +84kg (5-3).

The Karate 1-Series A travels now to Cairo (Egypt) where the second event of the season will take place from June 10 to 12.

CLICK HERE to go to the micro-site of Karate 1-Series A Pamplona.

(Pictures: @ JM Rodriguez / RFEK)

 

 

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Representatives of Spain succeed on day 2 of #Karate1Pamplona

Karatekas of the host nation and Danilo Greco and Ernest Sharafutfdinov were the big winners of the second day of the Karate 1-Series A Pamplona.

DANILO GRECO MAKES BEST OF WORLD RANKING CHALLENGE

Italy’s Danilo Greco was one of the heroes of the day as the former Junior continental champion qualified for the final of Male Kumite -60kg. Greco defeated team-mate Luigi Bisaccia in the semi-finals 3-1. With this result, the Italian karateka reaches the Top 32 of the WKF World Ranking.

In the final, Greco will meet Aymane Takzima of Ukraine. A first-timer finalist, Takzima defeated Italy’s Carmine Luciano in the semi-finals 6-3.

ERNEST SHARAFUTDINOV MAKES IT TO TOP 32

Russia’s Ernest Sharafutdinov also prevailed in the WKF World Ranking Challenge. The Russian karateka needed to make it to the final of Male Kumite -67kg to reach the Top 32 of the ranking and that is exactly what he did. The number 50 in the ranking claimed a convincing 11-1 victory over Algeria’s Yanis Tas in semi-finals.

The category was also successful for hosts of Spain as Samy Ennkhaili aims at repeating the triumph at the 2018 Karate 1-Series A Guadalajara with a qualification to the final here. The Spaniard defeated Romania’s Florin Gogolosi 3-0.

 

EXPERIENCED KARATEKAS LEAVING THEIR MARK

In Female Kumite -50kg, experienced Valeria Kumizaki of Brazil used her competitive edge to her advantage as she made it to the finals. The former World Championships runner-up beat Ukraine’s Yuliia Palashevska in the semi-finals 5-3.

After the successful opening day, France put another of their representatives in the final round. Tiphaine Bonnarde reached her first title-deciding bout after edging Alba Pinilla of Spain 5-4.

The experience also worked in favour of Olympian Bettina Plank of Austria who qualified for the final of Female Kumite -55kg. The two-time World Championships bronze medallist defeated Spain’s Marta Cortes in semi-finals 1-0 and will clash for gold against Germany’s Mia Bitsch.

The promising German karateka and sister of Karate Stars Noah and Jana qualified for her first final in senior competitions following a 2-0 victory in semi-finals over Greece’s Maria Stoli.

 

In Female Kumite -61kg, Elena Quirici of Switzerland also used the experience to reach the finals. The two-time continental champion edged Aurora Graziosi of Italy by “Hantei” or decision to qualify for the gold-medal bout.

Hosts of Spain had plenty of reasons to celebrate as Carlota Fernandez Osorio reached another final for the organising country in Kumite. The four-time Karate 1-Premier League bronze medallist also won the semi-final bout against Ukraine’s Oleksandra Sholokhova by “Hantei” or decision.

SPAIN EXTEND DOMINATION IN KATA

After claiming two spots in the finals of kata categories on day 1, the prevalence of Spain in kata continued on day 2.

 

In Male Kata, Raul Martin made it to his first final in international senior competitions after topping the pool with a score of 26.0. His rival in the final is Ryuji Moto of Japan who is also a first-timer finalist and who dominated the pool with a score of 26.34.

Spaniards garnered two more places in the finals as the title-deciding bout of Female Team Kata will be an All-Spain affair. The two finalist teams come from the host nation.

The competition concludes Sunday with the finals and bronze medal bouts. All the medal bouts are available LIVE on the WKF YouTube channel.

CLICK HERE to go to the micro-site of Karate 1-Series A Pamplona.

(Pictures: @ JM Rodriguez / RFEK)

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#Karate1Pamplona opens Karate 1-Series A ranking challenge

The WKF Ranking challenge begins this week. Karatekas are competing in the Karate 1-Series A event in Pamplona this weekend to fight for the challenge of improving their positions in the WKF World Ranking.

With the qualification to Karate’s major events done by ranking, and the registration to competitions such as the Karate 1-Premier League established by the position in the standings, the importance of the WKF World Ranking is now paramount.

Athletes competing in Pamplona will therefore aim to win the points to reach each one of the top-ranking groups: G32 (from positions 1 to 32), G64 (33 to 64) and G100 (65 to 100).

In Female Kumite -55kg, up to two competitors have chances to move to the top 32 should they reach the finals of #Karate1Pamplona, while only one competitor can make it to the top-ranked group in Female Kumite -61kg and Female Kumite -68kg.

The category of Female Kumite +68kg will be one of the most contented with three karatekas with options to reach G32.

The chances of reaching G32 in Male Kumite are focused on one competitor in Male Kumite -60kg and Male Kumite +84kg. Expectations are high in Male Kumite -67kg with no less than four athletes with options to make it to G32. Meanwhile, two athletes are in the line for the top-ranked group in both Male Kumite -75kg and Male Kumite -84kg.

In Female Kumite -50kg, Male Kata and Female Kata competitors will be aiming to reach G64 and G100.

The Karate 1-Series A Pamplona starts Friday. The finals are scheduled for Sunday, from 14.30 to 18.00. All the medal bouts are available LIVE on the WKF YouTube channel.

CLICK HERE to go to WKF World Ranking.

CLICK HERE to go to the Karate 1-Series A Pamplona micro-site.

 

kaynak:https://www.wkf.net/news-center-new/karate-1-series-a-ranking-challenge/1826

 

Where to watch #Karate1Pamplona

The thrill of the best Karate arrives in Pamplona (Spain) this weekend where the first Karate 1-Series A event of the year will take place. The final day of the competition will be available LIVE on the WKF YouTube channel.

Fans can catch all the action from Pamplona as it happens as the medal bouts of the event will be available by streaming on the WKF YouTube channel.

CLICK HERE to go to the WKF YouTube channel.

The programme will start on Sunday, January 30th (local time) with the bronze medal bouts. The finals are scheduled for Sunday, January 30th from 14.30 to 18.00 (local time). All the key moments of the event will therefore be available LIVE and FREE for fans to follow on the WKF YouTube channel.

The Karate 1-Series A Pamplona is the first event of its kind this year. Over 800 athletes from 64 countries are registered to participate in the massive event.

CLICK HERE to go to the WKF YouTube channel.

kaynak:https://www.wkf.net/news-center-new/watch-karate1pamplona/1823