The Cadet divisions took the spotlight on day 3 of the 2023 Karate 1-Youth League Venice. The delegation of Ukraine dominated the category after winning four golds.

Ukraine extended their successful performance in Venice with the title of Cadet Kumite Female -47kg. Mariia Hnes upset Giada Capatti of Italy 2-0. The second gold for Ukraine today was claimed by Maksym Viechkanov in Cadet Kumite Male -52kg. In the all-Ukraine final of the category, Viechkanov defeated teammate Savelii Ilchuk 3-1.  

The powerhouse nation of Karate even had more golds on their count today as Matvii Drik won the title in Cadet Kumite Male -57kg, with a slim 1-0 over Vedad Mujic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Hela Kiria became the champion of Cadet Kumite Male -70kg following a convincing 7-1 victory over Ali Arnautovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Italy continued celebrating gold medals at home. Marialuigia Cocca took the flag of the host nation to the top of the podium in Cadet Kumite Female -61kg after edging Melina Mattys of Germany (5-5).  

The crowns in the Kata divisions went to Portugal and France. Rita Marques became the champion of Cadet Female Kata after defeating Ines Ordones of France with scores of 26.0 to 24.9 while Thomas Klemz avenged her teammate’s defeat and won gold for France in Cadet Male Kata after beating Pak Yin Tsang of Hong Kong China with scores of 24.7 to 24.5.

Montenegro won their first title today as Katarina Djukic triumphed in Cadet Kumite Female -54kg (5-1 over Hungary’s Panka Torok). Croatia completed the gold medal list in Cadet Female Kumite divisions with Marta Filipovic’s victory in Cadet Kumite Female +61kg (2-0 over Dominika Males of Bosnia and Herzegovina).

The third gold medal for Belgium in the tournament was taken by Rayan Zoueini in Cadet Kumite Male -63kg. The Belgian karateka beat Marko Kaurin of Serbia 6-1.

Poland’s Gracjan Grobelny closed the gold medal count today as he took the crown in Cadet Kumite Male +70kg, with a 6-1 victory over France’s Ihsane Adjanonhoun.

The competition concludes on Sunday with the last day of action from Venice. The finals are available LIVE on the WKF YouTube channel.

2023 KARATE 1-  YOUTH LEAGUE VENICE

(Pictures: @www.karateyouthleague.com)