The 2019 AKF Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships concluded in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) with Japanese karatekas dominating the competition and topping the medal table of the event. The representatives of the birth nation of the sport claimed a total of 29 medals including 16 golds. Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia surprised with 17 and 10 medals respectively. 

The 2019 AKF Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships concluded in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) with Japanese karatekas dominating the competition and topping the medal table of the event. The representatives of the birth nation of the sport claimed a total of 29 medals including 16 golds. Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia surprised with 17 and 10 medals respectively. 

After the successful performance of Japanese karatekas in the first days of competition, the young promising athletes of the powerhouse nation of the sport wrapped up their impressive medal at the event with five golds in the last day. Saori Ishibashi in U21 Kata Female, Nao Kobayashi in U21 Kumite Female -50kg, Mahoko Kasahara in U21 Female Kumite -55kg, Yuzuki Sawae in U21 Female Kumite +68kg and Yugo Kozaki in U21 Kumite Male -67kg completed the list of gold medallist for Japan. 

The final day of action in Kota Kinabalu also crowned some of the up-and-coming stars of the sport in Asia. Omar Alazmi of Saudi Arabia claimed his second consecutive continental title after prevailing in U21 Kumite Male -84kg, while Thailand’s Neeranuch Tangleing won her third continental crown in U21 Kumite female -68kg. 

Athletes from Kazakhstan were also the big winners in the last day since the raising nation finished the day with three gold medals: Gulmira Ussenova in U21 Kumite Female -61kg, Ilyas Bekzadayv in U21 Kumite Male -60kg and Beibarys Zhanbyr in U21 Male Kumite -75kg. Hosts of Malaysia had reasons to celebrate in the closing day with golds for local representatives Arulveeran Somanroy in U21 Kumite Male +84kg and San Hong Ooi in U21 Male Kata. 

CLICK HERE to go to all the info of the event including results and draws.   

(Pictures: Naomichi Matushita / AKF)