Introducing the new Grand Winner in Male Kata: Kakeru Nishiyama of Japan.

One of the most promising karatekas on the international scene, Kakeru Nishiyama of Japan reclaimed the Grand Winner award in Male Kata for the powerhouse nation of the sport.

Karateka since he was five years old, Nishiyama has won four medals in the season including golds in Baku and Matosinhos. At the event in the Portuguese city, Nishiyama defeated Ali Sofuoglu of Turkiye in the final while in Baku, the Japanese athlete beat teammate Kazumasa Moto. At the last event in Cairo, Nishiyama took the bronze medal.

In addition to his five medals in Karate 1-Premier League, Nishiyama has the continental title at the 2022 AKF Championships under his belt.

Nishiyama was born in the Okayama prefecture and is a firefighter by trade.