Continental Championships
Future Stars Set to Shine at 2025 EKF Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships in Bielsko-Biala
2025-02-04

One of the most highly anticipated youth karate events in Europe, the 2025 EKF Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships, will take place in Bielsko-Biala, Poland, from February 7 to 9. The tournament will gather over 1,200 athletes from 49 countries, continuing the strong participation levels seen in previous editions.
The championships serve as a crucial stage for assessing the effectiveness of grassroots karate programs across Europe. At the 2024 edition in Tbilisi, Georgia, France led the medal table with an impressive tally of 14 medals, including seven golds. Italy also showcased its depth with 15 medals, while Bosnia and Herzegovina demonstrated its rising strength by securing six podium finishes. A total of 31 countries claimed medals, highlighting the widespread development of the sport across the continent.
Rising Talents Making Their Mark
Many of today’s emerging karate stars first made their name at this event. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Anes Bostandzic, who won gold in the U21 Male Kumite +84kg category last year, recently secured silver at the Karate 1-Premier League Paris. In the U21 Female Kumite -68kg division, Ukraine’s Elina Sieliemieieva followed up her 2024 title with bronze at both the Senior European Championships and the Karate 1-Premier League Casablanca.
Another standout from the 2024 event was Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Emina Sipovic, who triumphed in the U21 Female Kumite -61kg category and later earned bronze at the U21 World Championships. Ukraine’s Heorhii Pitsul, the U21 Male Kumite -75kg champion, further proved his talent by winning gold at the Karate 1-Series A Athens and bronze medals at both the Karate 1-Series A Larnaca and the U21 World Championships. These success stories reinforce the importance of the age-group EKF Championships as a launchpad for young athletes aiming for international glory.
Bielsko-Biala is no stranger to hosting top-level karate events. The city has been home to the Polish Open, one of Europe’s most traditional karate tournaments, for 18 years. Additionally, in 2023, Bielsko-Biala welcomed the European Games, which proved to be a major success for the sport.
Watch the Action Live
Karate fans will have the chance to witness the best young athletes in Europe compete for gold. The finals on Sunday will be streamed live on the World Karate Federation’s (WKF) YouTube channel.
CLICK HERE to go to the WKF YouTube channel.
Additionally, elimination rounds will be available on the Polish Karate Union’s YouTube channel, ensuring fans don’t miss any of the action.
As the next generation of karate champions take the stage in Bielsko-Biala, the 2025 EKF Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships promise to deliver thrilling performances and new rising stars in the sport.