The record-breaking 2023 Karate 1-Youth League Venice concluded Sunday with a celebration of the strength of Karate at young ages. The U14 categories took the stage on the final day of action of the massive event.

Extending the successful performance of the previous days, the Ukrainian delegation added more golds to their list of honours in Venice. Kateryna Mezentseva became the champion of U14 Kumite Female -42kg after defeating Luise Roder of Germany 7-4.

The second gold of the day for Ukraine was claimed by Elizabet Velychko in U14 Kumite Female -47kg. The Ukrainian karateka took a convincing 8-0 triumph over Ioana Balanescu of Romania.

The Romanian delegation bounced back from this defeat since Victor Igarelu took the Romanian flag to the top of the podium in U14 Kumite Male +55kg following a 6-0 victory over Isa Elmazi of North Macedonia.

Ukraine continued their impressive performance and took the crown in U14 Kumite Male -40kg. Akim Starikov beat Nathan Boscolo of Belgium 6-0 in the final.

The title-deciding bout of U14 Kata Female was an All-Turkiye affair, with two competitors of the powerhouse nation fighting for gold. The title was for Elizan Saglam who defeated teammate Nimet Berra Karakuzu with scores of 24.8 to 23.7.

The second title for Turkiye today was taken by Hamza Fatih Aydin in U14 Kumite Male -55kg as the young karateka beat Spain’s Genis Lacueva 4-1.

Meanwhile, in U14 Kata Male the crown was claimed by Calvin Mc Cann of Ireland who beat Juraj Gendes of Slovakia.

In one of the most impressive performances of the day, Iva Maric of Croatia won the crown on U14 Kumite Female -52kg in spectacular fashion. The Croatian karateka beat Silvia De Pasquale of Italy 10-1.

The 8-0 victory of Olga Selavko of Latvia over Portugal’s Victoria Bazyuk in U14 Kumite Female +52kg completed the list of gold medallists in U14 Kumite Female divisions.

The powerhouse nation of France also celebrated gold today. Soufian Chaibi won the title in U14 Kumite Male -45kg after beating Spain’s David Gomez 7-4.

The hosts of Italy finished the tournament on a high note as Ludovico Uccelari won the crown of U14 Kumite Male -50kg in the All-Italian final against teammate Riccardo Castro (0-0).

The final day of action put a thrilling finishing touch to an event that broke all participation records, with 4000 young athletes taking part in the most massive tournament of the year.

The season of the Karate 1-Youth League concluded in Venice. The first event of the 2024 season of the Karate 1-Youth League will be held in Fujairah (UAE) from February 22 to 25, 2024.

2023 KARATE 1-  YOUTH LEAGUE VENICE

(Pictures: @www.karateyouthleague.com)