The first day of the 2024 AKF Senior Championships in Hangzhou, China, concluded with thrilling action as the top karate athletes from across Asia battled for a place in the finals. This prestigious event not only gathers the continent's best talent but also serves as a crucial qualifier for the upcoming Karate World Cup. All finalists in the individual Kumite male and female categories were determined, setting the stage for exciting showdowns.

Female Kumite -50 KG: Alimardanova to Face Hsiao

Gulshan Alimardanova of Uzbekistan dominated Shahmalarani Chandran of Malaysia with a 5-0 win to secure her spot in the final. She will face Yun-Chen Hsiao of Chinese Taipei, who edged past China's Junhui Wang with a 5-3 victory.

Female Kumite -61 KG: Kanay Advances to Finals to Meet China’s favourite Li

Kazakhstan’s Assel Kanay put on a strong performance, defeating Japan’s Sarara Shimada to advance. She will go up against Li Gong of China, who triumphed over Atousa Golshadnezhad of Iran, ensuring a tense finale between two of the region’s top athletes.

Female Kumite -55 KG: Hoang and Wei to Battle for Gold

Thi My Tam Hoang of Vietnam was in stellar form, delivering a 7-0 shutout against Iran’s Taravat Khaksar. She will compete for the title against China’s Yuchun Wei, who overcame Tsui-Ping Ku of Chinese Taipei with a solid 6-2 win.

Male Kumite -67 KG: Kozaki and Almasatfa Set for Clash

Japan’s Yugo Kozaki cruised past Cheng-Chung Shih of Chinese Taipei in an 8-1 victory. In the final, he will face Olympian Abdel Rahman Almasatfa of Jordan, who secured a high-scoring 9-5 win over Olzhas Altynbek of Kazakhstan.

Male Kumite -84 KG: Shimada and Khodabakhshi into the Final

Rikito Shimada of Japan won his semi-final against Daniyar Yuldashev of Kazakhstan with a commanding 4-0 performance. Iran’s Mahdi Khodabakhshi also advanced, defeating Mohammad Aljafari of Jordan 6-4 in a close contest.

Male Kumite -55 KG: Shaqrah Edges into Final Against Bigabyl

Omar Shaqrah of Jordan advanced with a tie-breaking 5-5 victory over Kuwait’s Salem Alajmi. He will meet Kazakhstan’s Zholaman Bigabyl, who won a tight 3-2 match against Behnam Dehghanzadeh of Iran.

Male Kumite -75 KG: Mukhammadiev vs Azhikanov

Uzbekistan’s Kuvonchbek Mukhammadiev advanced to the final after defeating Davut Nazmyradov of Turkmenistan 3-0. He will face Olympian Nurkanat Azhikanov of Kazakhstan, who delivered an impressive 7-1 win over former World champion Bahman Asgari Ghoncheh of Iran.

Female Kumite -68 KG: Wong and Khasaif to Compete for Gold

Hong Kong’s Cheuk Lee Wong won her semi-final in a narrow 2-1 victory over China’s Qiaoqiao Li. Her opponent in the final will be Fatma Khasaif of the UAE, who advanced past Joud Aldrous of Jordan after a victory by Hantei or decision (0-0).

Male Kumite -60 KG: Hashimoto Faces Muekthong in the Final

Grand Winner Hiromu Hashimoto of Japan emerged victorious in a nail-biting 7-6 match against Mehriddin Toraxonov of Uzbekistan. His final opponent will be Siwakon Muekthong of Thailand, who earned a 7-3 win over Jordan’s Abdallah Hammad.

Female Kumite 68+ KG: Nguyen and Gurung Vie for Title

Thi Ngoan Nguyen of Vietnam secured her place in the final after beating Japan’s Sumire Sugita 7-4. She will meet Arika Gurung of Nepal, who dominated her semi-final against Thailand’s Kewalin Songklin with an 8-0 win.

Male Kumite 84+ KG: Hirata and Abazari in High-Stakes Final

Japan’s Kyo Hirata scored a narrow 10-9 victory against Kazakhstan’s Dias Anarbekov to reach the final. He will take on Saleh Abazari of Iran, who defeated Thailand’s Teerawat Kangtong 10-7 in an equally tight match.

As day one wraps up, all eyes are on the finals as these elite athletes prepare for one last push toward championship gold and a coveted spot in the World Cup. The stage is set for an intense and action-packed second day.

2024 AKF SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS