The hopes and dreams of Karate’s future stars were displayed on the final day of the WKF Karate 1 Youth Cup. The promising karatekas taking part at the memorable event being held in Umag (Croatia) showcased their optimism, passion, and ambition in a closing day that featured the next generation of Karate heroes. 

The hopes and dreams of Karate’s future stars were displayed on the final day of the WKF Karate 1 Youth Cup. The promising karatekas taking part at the memorable event being held in Umag (Croatia) showcased their optimism, passion, and ambition in a closing day that featured the next generation of Karate heroes. 

Russia completed a remarkable performance in Umag, as the powerful Karate nation took home no less than 24 medals with eight golds and topped the final standings of the tournament.  On the last day, Russian delegation celebrated among others Kirill Solopov’s gold in Male Kumite U21 -67kg 

Italian karatekas also continued shining at the event. Representatives of the largest delegation in Umag closed the event with 30 medals and seven golds, thus showing the progress of the sport at young ages in the Southern European country, and taking the second spot of the medal table.

Valetina Tassin with her gold in Female Kumite U21 -50kg, Clio Ferracuti’s victory in Female Kumite U21 +68kg and Noemi Nicosanti in Kata Female Junior were among the gold medallists of the day for the Italian delegation. 

Karatekas of the host country gave Croatian fans plenty of reasons to celebrate since the organising country finished in the third position of the medal table with 20 medals and four golds. Marina Barac in Female Kumite U21 -61kg took the Croatian flag to the top of the podium on the last day of competition. 

Poland’s Dorota Banaszczyk in Female Kumite U21 -55kg, France’s Iman Hassouni in Female Kumite U21 -68kg, Belarus’ Aleh Melekhin in Male Kumite U21 -60kg, FYR of Macedonia’s Petar Zaborski in Male Kumite U21 -75kg, The Netherlands’ Brian Timmermans in Kumite Male U21 -84kg and Saudi Arabia’s Tareg Hamadi in Kumite Male +84kg were among the karatekas who took gold in the thrilling closing day in Umag. 

A FUTURE SO BRIGHT

All the competitors taking part at the event have demonstrated the bright future of the sport. Young karatekas showed their abilities in Umag while setting the route to bigger goals, especially the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018. 

“The level is so high that we have to keep on working hard to prepare for all what’s yet to come. I really do not see a limit in my future; the future is open. I am ready for whatever the future may bring and I plan to make the most of it,” said silver medallist in Kata Female Junior Marta García Lozano of Spain.  

In some cases, role models and the road to success are not far from these young karatekas’ eyesight. Saudi Arabia’s Nawaf Almalki earned gold in Umag, thus setting the course to continue the path taken by his brother, 2016 Grand Winner Emad Almalki. “I would like to become a great champion, like my brother. I hope I can follow his footsteps and be like him,” said Nawaf Almalki. “I am very happy to be part of this competition. This event has been very good for us to get more and more experience,” said the younger of the Almalki brothers. 

The future of Karate set their eyes now on the next big event of the sport at young ages, the World Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships to be held in Tenerife (Spain) in October.