At only 19 years old, Achraf Ouchen is one of the most promising karatekas in the world with five medals in eight major international competitions, the silver at the 2016 World Championships included. This weekend, as the Karate 1-Premier League gets underway in Rabat, Ouchen not only has the goal of increasing his impressive tally of awards at home but also to demonstrate the progression of Moroccan Karate.  

At only 19 years old, Achraf Ouchen is one of the most promising karatekas in the world having earned five medals in eight major international competitions, includng the silver at the 2016 World Championships. This weekend, as the Karate 1-Premier League gets underway in Rabat, Ouchen not only has the goal of increasing his impressive tally of awards but also to demonstrate the progression of Moroccan Karate.  

“It feels great to compete in my home country. I will do my best to give a good image of Moroccan Karate this weekend. My family, friends and all the supporters have big hopes and trust in me. I will give 100% to get the gold,” said the rising star. 

Impressive performance at the 2016 World Championships 

Achraf Ouchen will have the eyes of all Karate fans in Morocco set on him as he steps on the tatami of the Multi-purpose stadiums Prince Moulay Abdellah. The 19 year-old is the front-runner of a promising young generation of competitors who aim at causing a sensation at international Karate.

As a matter of fact, Ouchen shocked rivals in the last World Championships, as the young Moroccan karateka made it to the final of the big Karate event. Ouchen presented an impressive performance in Linz eliminating top karatekas to make it to the title-deciding clash. In the bout for gold, Ouchen was defeated by Iran’s Sajad Ganjzadeh by split decision thus taking home a remarkable silver medal. 

Now, as the 2017 Karate 1-Premier League reaches Rabat, the 2015 World Junior, Cadet and U21 champion hopes to continue his success at home. “This weekend at the Rabat Open my aim is to win the Gold Medal for the second time after my victory last year,” said Ouchen. 

At the Karate 1-Premier League in Rabat last year, the fifth placed in the WKF World Ranking defeated Cameroon’s Etienne Martial Nonagni Bayomog so to earn his second gold at Karate1 Premier League events following his triumph in Sharm El Sheikh that year.  

Ouchen set to continue leading way for young karatekas

As a generation of young competitors is making their case for the domination of Karate at the world stage, Achraf Ouchen has the ambition to improve while setting his eyes on bigger goals.

“My main objectives this year are the World Games in Poland, as well as the World Junior, Cadet and U21 in Tenerife. Also, I hope to win at the Junior & Cadet and U21 Mediterranean Championship that is going to be held in Morocco,” commented Ouchen. 

In addition to his own personal quest to shine, the national champion who was the only Moroccan medallist at the 2016 World Championships has the responsibility to showcase the intentions of his country to make an impact at a global scale. 

“Moroccan Karate is showing a clear improvement in Karate 1-Premier League and also in the World Championship. We are now a very well known country in Karate. It's definitely going on the right path and many more achievements are yet to come,” declared the 19 year-old athlete, who stressed the importance of hosting a Karate 1-Premier League at home. 

“This event in Rabat is so important for Moroccan Karate because it gives a chance to Moroccan athletes to compete face-to-face with international champions. This raises the level of Moroccan Karate in the National tournaments,” said the World Championships silver medallist. 

Achraf Ouchen will make his debut at Karate 1-Premier League in Rabat on Saturday morning in the elimination phase of the Male Kumite +84kg as he will face Poland’s Michal Babos in the first round. 

Click here for more information on the 2017 Karate 1-Premier League in Rabat. 

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