Karate’s powerhouse nations in Asia demonstrated the strength of their grassroots programmes on the third day of the AKF Karate Championships which is being held in Almaty (Kazakhstan)

Iran and Kazakhstan continued their impressive performances at the event as the representatives of the two ruling delegations prevailed in the Under 21 categories.

The gold medal count for Iran on Day 3 started with Hadiseh Jamal’s triumph in U21 Kata Female. Atousa Golshadnezhad took the title in U21 Kumite Female -61kg while Mobina Heydariozomcheloe dominated U21 Kumite Female -68kg. The fourth gold medal for Iran today was claimed by Alireza Heydariyasavoli in U21 Kumite Male -75kg, as Rashti Mohsen Safarnejad Molaei completed the gold medal list with his triumph in U21 Kumite Male -84kg.

As it happened in the previous days of the competition, Kazakhstan used the home-ground factor to extend their successful performance to the U21 divisions. The three titles of the host team today were taken by Kemelbek Kablanbek in U21 Kumite Male -84kg, Abilmansur Batyrgali in U21 Kumite Male -67kg, and Zholaman Bigabyl in U21 Kumite Male -55kg.

No less than six countries went home with top awards on day 3 of the event. Hong Kong won their first gold following Yu Hin Tang’s victory in U21 Kata Male.

Vietnam also inaugurated their gold medal count with My Tam Hoang Thi’s triumph in U21 Kumite Female -55kg, while Olga Matseva won the second title for Kyrgyzstan with her victory in U21 Kumite Female +68kg.

The list of gold medallists in U21 categories was completed by Siwakon Muekthong of THAKF in U21 Kumite Male -60kg.

The competition continues on day 4 as the event moves to its final stages.

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