The 2023 Karate 1-Premier League Rabat concluded Sunday with Grand Winners prevailing in the finals. Yorgelis Salazar, Anzhelika Terliuga, Kakeru Nishiyama and Irina Zaretska were the Grand Winners taking gold today.

YORGELIS SALAZAR CONTINUES SHOWING TOP FORM

After being crowned Grand Winner in Cairo, Yorgelis Salazar of Venezuela confirmed her star status in Rabat. The defending Grand Winner defeated Moldir Zhangbyrbay of Kazakhstan 10-6 in a thrilling demonstration of offensive Karate and a showcase of kicking abilities. Salazar won her third Karate 1-Premier League title in the category of Female Kumite -50kg.

GRAND WINNER ANZHELIKA TERLIUGA RULES FEMALE KUMITE -55KG

Ukraine’s Anzhelika Terliuga used the Grand Winners award in her favour to claim her 14^th title in Karate 1-Premier League. The current World ranking leader and continental champion defeated Trinity Allen of the United States in a highly technical bout 2-0.

KAKERU NISHIYAMA PREVAILS IN MALE KATA

Grand Winner Kakeru Nishiyama of Japan inaugurated his run as the owner of the special karategi with the gold embroidery with a triumph in Rabat. The current continental champion excelled in his presentation of “Suparinpei” kata and beat Ali Sofuoglu of Turkiye with scores of 45.40 to 44.00.

IRINA ZARETSKA TAKES CLASH OF TITANS

Grand Winner Irina Zaretska of Azerbaijan became one of the big names of the day as she prevailed in the “Clash of Titans” of the day. The current World titleholder and owner of the special karategi with the golden embroidery defeated Olympian and current continental champion Elena Quirici of Switzerland in the final of Female Kumite -68kg. The defending Grand Winner of Azerbaijan showed tremendous skills to win the bout 4-0.

KIYOU SHIMIZU TAKES NEW GOLD

The gold medal in Female Kata went to Kiyou Shimizu of Japan. The two-time World champion from Japan defeated Mo Sheung Grace Lau of Hong Kong in a repetition of the final of the opening event in Cairo and with the same result. Shimizu took her 15^th gold in Karate 1-Premier League with scores of 44.60 to 44.10.

ANGELO CRESCENZO CONFIRMS WORLD RANKING LEADER STATUS

Italy’s Angelo Crescenzo secured his position as the World Ranking leader in Male Kumite -60kg after beating Abdullah Shaaban of Kuwait in the final 4-0. The Olympian from Italy proved too strong today and earned his fifth Karate 1-Premier League gold with a convincing triumph over the current continental champion from Kuwait.

In addition to Crescenzo’s title, the Italian delegation wrapped up an impressive event with the gold in Male Kumite +84kg. Matteo Avanzini defeated Saudi Arabia’s Sanad Sufyani 3-1 and claimed his first title in Karate 1-Premier League.

OLYMPIAN ABDEL RAHMAN ALMASATFA WINS GOLD IN MALE KUMITE -67KG

The title in Male Kumite -67kg went to Olympian Abdel Rahman Almasatfa of Jordan. The Olympic Games bronze medallist defeated Gianluca De Vivo of Italy 1-3 and inaugurated his gold medal count in Karate 1-Premier League events.

Jordan added one more gold today as Mohammad Aljafari became the champion of Male Kumite -84kg. The current continental titleholder beat Matteo Fiore of Italy in a rollercoaster of bout 4-3.

VICTORY FOR AYUMI UEKUSA IN BATTLE OF OLYMPIANS

Two Olympians met for gold in Female Kumite +68kg and Japan’s Ayumi Uekusa came out victorious. The number 2 of WKF Ranking and continental champion upset Olympic Games medallist Sofya Berultseva of Kazakhstan 3-2 after scoring an impressive late Ippon.  

WAFA MAHJOUB SURPRISES IN FEMALE KUMITE -61KG

Tunisia’s Wafa Mahjoub produced one of the big upsets of the day as she took the crown in Female Kumite -61kg. A first-time Karate 1-Premier League finalist, Mahjoub defeated favourite Assel Kanay of Kazakhstan 7-3 so to win her second medal in international competitions.

GOLD FOR QUENTIN MAHAUDEN

The title of Male Kumite -75kg was taken by Quentin Mahauden of Belgium. It was the first gold in Karate 1-Premier League for the current European Championships bronze medallist who defeated Sultan Alzahrani of Saudi Arabia 3-2.

The 2023 Karate 1-Premier League travels now to Fukuoka (Japan) where the third event of the season will be held from June 9 to 11.

RESULTS OF 2023 KARATE 1-PREMIER LEAGUE RABAT