The 2023 EKF Karate Senior Championships concluded today in Guadalajara (Spain). The final day of the competition crowned the best teams in the continent with Germany taking the top position in the final medal table of the event.

Turkiye caused one of the big upsets of the day after defeating hosts of Spain in the final of Male Team Kata. The Spaniards hoped to use the home-ground factor in their favour, but the Turkish squad excelled with their presentation of “Unsu” kata thus retaking the title that they won at home last year in Gaziantep (44.2 to 43.6)

Spain tried to bounce back from this upset, but the local side was defeated in the final of Female Team Kata by Italy. The Italian side presented a flawless “Ohan” kata and took the continental crown with scores of 45.6 to 43.3. With this gold, Italy also win back-to-back continental titles.

Meanwhile, Ukraine became the best champion in Male Team Kumite after defeating France in a thrilling final. The Ukrainian and French sides engaged in an outstanding demonstration of offensive Karate.

The final went to the tiebreaker with two victories for each side, and with Stanislav Horuna and Jesse Da Costa clashing for gold in the fifth and decisive match. The Ukrainian karateka took the victory 8-5 in a roller-coaster of bout.

MOTIVATING PARA-KARATE COMPETITION COMPLETED

The last final of the Para-Karate competition was held Sunday. The inspiring Para-Karate event was wrapped up with the final of the Wheelchair user category. In a demonstration of strength, the two golds went to Spain.

In Wheelchair User Female K30, Isabel Fernandez Jimenez of Spain defeated Knarik Airapetian of Ukraine, while in Wheelchair User Male K30, Vicente Yanguez Santalla of Spain beat Eldar Ahmadov of Azerbaijan.

The final medal table of the event is topped by Germany with six medals and four golds. Italy and Ukraine take second and third positions with 11 and 4 medals, respectively.

The next edition of the EKF Senior Championships will be held next year in Zadar (Croatia).  

All the info on the 2023 EKF SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS