The Japanese karatekas confirmed their domination in Kata after prevailing in the category of choreographed movements during the first day of the Karate 1-Premier League in Paris. Three of the four finalists in the individual Kata competition come from the birth nation of the sport. 

The Japanese karatekas confirmed their domination in Kata after prevailing in the category of choreographed movements during the first day of the Karate 1-Premier League in Paris. Three of the four finalists in the individual Kata competition come from the birth nation of the sport. 

World champion Ryo Kiyuna and Issei Shimbaba will meet in the all-Japan final of the Male Individual Kata competition. The defending world title-holder demonstrated his domination of the category and aims at his eighth medal in eight Karate 1-Premier League appearances after winning all his bout by unanimous decisions. 

Meanwhile, two-time Karate 1-Premier League gold medallist Shimbaba also dominated his bouts during the pool phase and qualified for the final after defeating fellow Japanese Kazumasa Moto in the semifinal. The title-deciding clash between Kiyuna and Shimbaba will be a repetition of the final of the 2016 Karate 1-Premier League in Paris. Last year World champion Kiyuna won the gold medal.

The big shock in the category happened in the early rounds of the tournament when world ranking leader and World Championships silver medallist Damian Quintero of Spain was defeated by Japan’s Arata Kinjo in the second bout of the Main Tree Pool phase by split decision.  

France against Japanese authority in Female Kata

French fan favourite Sandy Scordo came back after his absence from the World Championships and demonstrated her top form cruising to the final at home. The 31-year old and three-time European champion defeated the likes of 2016 Grand Winner Terryana D’Onofrio of Italy, Pan American champion Sakura Kokumai of the USA and fellow French promising karateka Alexandra Feracci to qualify for the last bout of the tournament. 

The other side of the tatami in the final will be taken by Japan’s Hikaru Ono. The promising karateka paved the way to the title-deciding bout in a spectacular performance at only her second appearance in Karate 1-Premier League tournaments in individual competition. The World champion in Female Team Kata Ono beat fellow Japanese Saori Okamoto to make it to the final. 

Hikary Ono also produced one of the big shocks of the day following her narrow victory over world ranking leader Sandra Sanchez of Spain. 

Click here to read the summary of the first day in Kumite categories. 

Watch the finals and bronze medal bouts LIVE on Karate 1-Premier League Channel.