The 2024 AKF Senior Championships came to a thrilling close in Hangzhou, China, with Japan leading the final medal standings, followed by Vietnam and Kazakhstan. The event saw top karatekas winning the continental crowns as the last spots at the Karate World Cup were taken.  

Female Team Kata: Japan Outshines Vietnam

Japan’s Female Team Kata squad continued the nation’s success by defeating Vietnam 42.80 to 40.80, showcasing their exceptional synchronization and form to secure the team title and adding the continental gold to the World title. 

 

With Japan already qualified for the Karate World Cup for their victory at the World Championships, the tickets to the event in Pamplona went to silver medallists of Vietnam and bronze medallists of China and Iran. 

 

Male Team Kata: Kuwait Wins Over Vietnam

Kuwait’s Male Team Kata team put on an impressive display, earning a score of 43.00 to edge out Vietnam’s 41.10. Their victory marked a significant achievement for Kuwait in the kata discipline.

 

As the gold medallists of Kuwait had already qualified for the Karate World Cup at the World Championships and Iran had earned the ticket for the substitution criteria, the three qualifying spots on the line went to Vietnam, Hong Kong China and Saudi Arabia.  

 

Male Team Kumite: Japan Claims Another Gold

Japan’s Male Team Kumite lineup clinched the team title with a 3-0 victory over Kazakhstan. The Japanese team’s depth and precision were on full display as they controlled the contest.

 

Finalists of Japan and Kazakhstan earned a ticket to the Karate World Cup, together with bronze medallists of Iran as bronze medallists of Jordan already had qualified for the World title. 

 

Female Team Kumite: Vietnam Edges China for Gold

Vietnam’s Female Team Kumite squad defeated China in a fierce final to capture the team gold. Vietnam’s fighters showcased their resilience and determination, upsetting the local team at home.

 

The finalists of Vietnam and China claimed the tickets to the Karate World Cup. As Japan had already secured the spot at the event in Pamplona for their silver at the World Championships, the third place at the event goes to Chinese Taipei. 

 

Female Kata: Mo Sheung Grace Lau Triumphs for Hong Kong

Mo Sheung Grace Lau of Hong Kong captured gold in the Female Kata, narrowly defeating Japan's Maho Ono with a score of 42.60 to 41.90. Lau's precision and grace earned her the second consecutive continental crown.

 

Male Kata: Kakeru Nishiyama Takes Third Continental Crown

Japan's Kakeru Nishiyama secured victory in the Male Kata category with a score of 43.10, outscoring Sayed Salman Almosawi of Kuwait, who scored 41.40. Nishiyama’s technical mastery ensured his dominance, adding another gold to Japan’s haul and winning his third consecutive continental title-

 

Male Kumite -55 kg: Bigabyl Wins for Kazakhstan

In the Male Kumite -55 kg division, Kazakhstan's Zholaman Bigabyl delivered a flawless performance, beating Jordan's Omar Shaqrah 3-0. Bigabyl’s powerful attacks gave him control of the bout, sealing his first international gold in senior divisions.

 

Female Kumite -50 kg: Alimardanova Dazzles for Uzbekistan

Gulshan Alimardanova of Uzbekistan dominated the Female Kumite -50 kg, winning 8-0 against Yun-Chen Hsiao of Chinese Taipei. Alimardanova claims a decisive win to take her first continental crown.

 

Male Kumite -60 kg: Hashimoto Secures Another Gold for Japan

Japan’s Hiromu Hashimoto showed his class in the Male Kumite -60 kg, defeating Siwakon Muekthong of Thailand 4-0. Hashimoto’s precise actions earned him a convincing victory in adding the Asian title to the Grand Winner award.

 

Female Kumite -55 kg: Hoang Shines for Vietnam

Thi My Tam Hoang of Vietnam outperformed Wei Yuchun of China in the Female Kumite -55 kg category, winning 4-2. Hoang caused one of the big upsets of the day as she outclassed the local favourite at home.

 

Male Kumite -67 kg: Almasatfa Dominates for Jordan 

Abdel Rahman Almasatfa of Jordan delivered an impressive performance, winning the Male Kumite -67 kg with a 7-1 victory over Japan's Yugo Kozaki. Almasatfa who is an Olympian of Karate earned his fourth continental title.

 

Female Kumite -61 kg: Gong Li Captures Gold for China

China’s Li Gong took home gold in the Female Kumite -61 kg, defeating Kazakhstan’s Assel Kanay 4-0. Gong’s dominant performance electrified the home crowd as she controlled the fight from start to finish. World champion Li added the continental title to his gold medal at the World Championships so to become one of the biggest dominant forces in the category.  

 

Male Kumite -75 kg: Azhikanov Wins Big for Kazakhstan

Nurkanat Azhikanov of Kazakhstan was in superb form in the Male Kumite -75 kg, delivering a resounding 9-1 victory over Kuvonchbek Mukhammadiyev of Uzbekistan. Olympian Azhikanov secured a comfortable win to take his second continental title.

 

Female Kumite -68 kg: Cheuk Lee Wong Edges Out Khasaif

Cheuk Lee Wong of Hong Kong clinched a narrow victory in the Female Kumite -68 kg, defeating UAE’s Fatma Khasaif 3-2. Wong gained the upper hand in a tightly contested bout to claim her first Asian crown.

 

Male Kumite -84 kg: Shimada’s Close Victory for Japan

Japan’s Rikito Shimada claimed gold in the Male Kumite -84 kg after a hard-fought 3-3 victory over Iran’s Mahdi Khodabakhshi. Shimada’s skill in managing the match earned him the win and his first continental title after earning two silver medals.

 

Female Kumite 68+ kg: Nguyen Dominates for Vietnam 

Vietnam’s Thi Ngoan Nguyen cruised to victory in the Female Kumite 68+ kg, defeating Arika Gurung of Nepal 6-0.

 

Male Kumite 84+ kg: Abazari Secures Iran’s Win

Iran’s Saleh Abazari overwhelmed Kyo Hirata of Japan in the Male Kumite 84+ kg, winning 8-0. Abazari’s swift and powerful techniques left no room for Hirata to respond, delivering one of the most dominant performances of the day.

 

With Japan leading the final medal standings and standout performances across all categories, the 2024 AKF Senior Championships set the stage for an exciting World Cup in November.

 

2024 AKF SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS