The city of Tunis (Tunisia) hosted the 2022 UFAK North Region Karate Championships. Over 300 athletes from five countries gathered at the event with Egypt topping the final medal table of the tournament. 

Host of Tunisia claimed four gold medals in senior categories, with titles going to Wafa Mahjoub in Female Kumite -61kg, Islem Ben Hassen in Female Kumite -50kg, Mohamed Ayat in Male Kumite -60kg, and Edin Choiya Houssem in Male Kumite +84kg.

Powerhouse nation of Algeria also showcased strength in senior divisions as Narimene Dahleb in Female Kata, Louiza Abouriche in Female Kumite -55kg, Kahina Amrouche in Female Kumite +68kg, Faycal Bouakel Mohamed in Male Kumite -67kg, and Baha Eddine Zitouni Oussama in Male Kumite -84kg took the titles.

The list of gold medallists in senior categories was completed with Egypt’s Mayar Zeinelabdin in Female Kumite -68kg, and Mahoud Hanafi in Male Kata, and Libya’s Ahmed Salih in Male Kumite -75kg.

MASSIVE REFEREE COURSE

The success of the event was also stated in terms of the participation of referees as nearly 90 judges took part in the referee seminar. Directed by WKF Referee Commission member Giuseppe Zaccaro, the referee course confirmed the progress of the sport in the region and the growing level of the officials at UFAK events.

The UFAK North Region Championships were organised by the Tunisia Karate Federation and the African North Region Karate Federation. UFAK President and WKF Vice President Mohamed Tahar Mesbahi and WKF Vice President and UFAK Vice President Bechir Cherif were in attendance.

WKF President Antonio Espinós said:

“Africa is one of the fastest growing regions in Karate. As the sport continues its tremendous expansion in the continent, events such as the UFAK North Region Championships help to give a true dimension to the popularity of Karate in these countries.

I want to thank the Tunisia Karate Federation and its president Korbi Hassen, the African North Region Karate Federation and its president Yacine Arab, WKF Vice Presidents Mohamed Tahar Mesbahi and Bechir Cherif, and WKF Referee Commission member Giuseppe Zaccaro for their contribution to the success of this event.”

(Top picture: WKF Vice President and UFAK Vice President Bechir Cherif, WKF Referee Commission member Giuseppe Zaccaro, and African North Region Karate Federation and its president Yacine Arab (center seated) pose with the referees of the tournament.

WKF officials including UFAK President and WKF Vice President Mohamed Tahar Mesbahi, WKF Vice President and UFAK Vice President Bechir Cherif, and WKF Referee Commission member Giuseppe Zaccaro attend the referee course.