Karate Stars were the big winners of the final day of Karate 1-Series A Santiago. As the closing event of the season of Karate 1-Series A concluded, favourites and Japanese karatekas claimed the gold medals in Santiago. 

Karate Stars were the big winners of the final day of Karate 1-Series A Santiago. As the closing event of the season of Karate 1-Series A concluded, favourites and Japanese karatekas took the spotlight in Santiago. 

Japanese representatives wrapped up an outstanding final day of action with a tally of five gold medals. The karatekas from the birth nation of the sport dominated the Kata categories with three of the four titles at stake. Hikaru Ono won the crown in Female Kata after upsetting Italy’s Viviana Bottaro in the final. The Japanese karateka took 25.88 points with “Papuren” kata for 25.34 of the Italian representative. 

In the all-Japan final of Male Kata, the title went to Ryonosuke Kikuchi. The promising athlete defeated team-mate Kakeru Nishiyama with a flawless “Anan” kata and a score of 25.92, for 25.66 of his rival. 

The third gold medal for Japan was claimed by Ayaka Saito in Female Kumite +68kg. The Japanese karateka who is placed in the eighth position in WKF World Ranking edged Germany’s Johanna Kneer in the final by a slim 1-0. 

Hiroto Gomyo closed the gold medal count for Japan with his title in Male Kumite -67kg. The Japanese karateka had not reached a final since his title at the 2018 Karate 1-Premier League Istanbul and defeated Vinicius Figueira of Brazil in the final by 4-3. 

NEW GOLD MEDAL FOR SERAP OZCELIK 

Showcasing an exceptional level, Turkey’s Serap Ozcelik won her sixth title in ten international appearances this year. The Grand Winner of Female Kumite -50kg extended her domination of the category following a victory by “Hantei” or decision over Venezuela’s Yorgelis Salazar (0-0). 

Ozcelik’s title was not the only success for Turkey today. The representatives of the European powerhouse nation finished the event with three gold medals and the second place in the medal table. Just as Ozcelik, Turkey’s Eray Samdan used his Grand Winner status to claim gold in Santiago. The promising Turkish karateka prevailed in Male Kumite -60kg after defeating Japan’s Sago Naoto by “Hantei” or decision (0-0).

Turkish Grand Winners were on top form today since the third owner of the “Best of the Best” award from Turkey also finished with the gold medal in Santiago. Ugur Aktas reached his fifth title in eight appearances following a tight victory 1-1 over Iran’s Zabiollah Poorshab in the final of Male Kumite -84kg. 

FAVOURITES ON WINNING MODE 

After reaching her third final in her last four tournaments, Egypt’ Giana Lotfy confirmed her return to Karate’s elite with her title in Female Kumite -61kg. The two-time World champion who won the crown of the Karate 1-Premier League Tokyo barely two weeks ago upset Russia’s Anna Rodina in the final of Santiago 5-0. 

Meanwhile, in Male Kumite -75kg Stanislav Horuna from Ukraine upset local hero Joaquin Gonzalez Lavin and prevented Chile from taking a gold medal at home. Horuna who is fourth in WKF World ranking won the final by “Hantei” or decision (0-0). 

MAJOR UPSETS IN CHILE

Valeria Kumizaki of Brazil produced one of the upsets of the day after taking the title in Female Kumite -55kg over top favourite and WKF World ranking leader Anzhelika Terliuga of Ukraine. The Brazilian karateka who won gold for the last time at 2018 PKF Championships prevailed in the final (2-2). 

In Female Kumite -68kg, China’s Li Gong also upset the WKF World ranking leader of the category as the Chinese representative edged Elena Quirici of Switzerland. Li Gong won the final bout by 5-3. 

In the all-France final of male Kumite +84kg, the crown went to Dnylson Jacquet who defeated team-mate Salim Bendiab by 4-2. Japan and Peru in Male and Female Team Kata respectively completed the list of gold medallists in Santiago.