The countdown to one of the most anticipated events of the season continues as the 2019 European Games reaches the -15 days count. The Karate competition of the 2nd edition of the European Games will start in two weeks and top karatekas are getting ready for the memorable tournament. 

The countdown to one of the most anticipated events of the season continues as the 2019 European Games reaches the -15 days mark. The Karate competition of the 2nd edition of the European Games will start in two weeks and top karatekas are getting ready for the memorable tournament. 

The best European karatekas will meet in Minsk (Belarus) to fight for the gold medals. The tickets to watch the Karate competition live on site are nearly sold out while the event will be broadcast in 196 countries all over the world. 

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“I am very happy to have the chance to participate in the European Games in Minsk,” said current European Championships runner-up Viviana Bottaro of Italy while European and World champion Jonathan Horne of Germany said: “I am really thrilled to be qualified for Minsk and I hope that all the Karate fans enjoy the competition”. 

Out of the 96 competitors who will participate in Minsk 2019, no less than 28 athletes will compete for the second time in the European Games after being part of the inaugural event in Baku four years ago. Damian Quintero of Spain in Male Kata, Burak Uygur of Turkey in Male Kumite -67kg, Rafael Aghayev of Azerbaijan in Male Kumite -75kg, Sandra Sanchez of Spain in Female Kata, Serap Ozcelik of Turkey in Female Kumite -50kg and Irina Zaretska of Azerbaijan in Female Kumite -68kg  are the competitors who will try to get the double crown after claiming the gold medals in Baku 2015. 

Also medallist in Baku four years ago but hoping to have better luck in Minsk, Turkey’s Ugur Aktas aims at increasing his outstanding tally of awards with a title in the capital city of Belarus. 

“I was very sad in Baku because I could only get bronze there. Now, I go to Minsk and my idea is to win the gold medal. I am very happy to have been selected to participate in the European Games again,” said the Turkish World ranking leader. 

The Karate competition in Minsk will be held from June 29 to 30. The gold medal bouts are scheduled for June 29 from 17:25 to 18:46 (local times) and on June 30 from 16:37 to 17:53.