The second day of the competition of the 2023 Karate 1-Premier League Rabat put the spotlight on the Olympians of the sport. A host of first-class athletes headed by Elena Quirici, Irina Zaretska, Sofya Berultseva, and Ayumi Uekusa prevailed today and will fight for the titles in the finals on Sunday.    

CLASH OF TITANS IN FEMALE KUMITE -68KG

Two of the best karatekas in the category of Female Kumite -68kg will clash for gold in Rabat. Olympians Elena Quirici of Switzerland and Irina Zaretska of Azerbaijan will fight for the title after prevailing in their pools today.

Continental champion and five-time Karate 1-Premier League winner Quirici defeated Sara Krivdova of Slovakia 4-0 while Grand Winner Zaretska beat Sadea Becirovic of Croatia 5-0.

OLYMPIANS ALSO MEET IN FEMALE KUMITE +68KG

As it occurred in Female Kumite -68kg, the category of Female Kumite +68kg will see two Olympians clashing for the crown. Olympic Games medallist Sofya Berultseva of Kazakhstan reached her sixth Karate 1-Premier League final after beating Habiba Helmy of Egypt 4-1.

Meanwhile, Olympian Ayumi Uekusa hopes to win a whopping 13^th Karate 1-Premier League title following a 5-1 triumph over Nikolina Golombos of Croatia.

GRAND WINNER KAKERU NISHIYAMA REACHES FINAL

Newly proclaimed Grand Winner Kakeru Nishiyama qualified for his fourth Karate 1-Premier League final in Male Kata. The current continental champion defeated teammate Kazumasa Moto in the semi-finals with scores of 45.00 to 43.20.

His rival in the final is Ali Sofuoglu of Turkiye. The four-time Karate 1-Premier League gold medallist eliminated Aoi Funada of Japan in the semi-finals 42.50 to 40.80.

TWO MORE FINALS FOR ITALY

Matteo Fiore extended Italy’s success at the event as he qualified for the title-deciding bout of Male Kumite -84kg. The silver medallist at the opening event in Cairo upset Faraj Alnashri of Saudi Arabia in the semi-finals 2-1.

The final bout could have been an All-Italian affair, but Mohammad Aljafari of Jordan defeated Michele Martina by “Hantei” or decision 2-2. It is the second Karate 1-Premier League final for Aljafari who claimed bronze in Cairo.

The second final spot for Italy today was claimed by Matteo Avanzini in Male Kumite +84kg. it is the first Karate 1-Premier League final for the current U21 continental champion who beat Jakov Bunjevac of Croatia 3-1.

The promising Italian will fight for gold against Sanad Sufyani of Saudi Arabia who prevailed over Abylay Toltay of Kazakhstan 4-2.

Current continental champion Assel Kanay of Kazakhstan dominated the Female Kumite -61kg category and qualified for the final after beating Yuki Kujuro of Japan by “Hantei” or decision 0-0. She will fight for gold against Wafa Mahjoub of Tunisia who surprised favourites and made it to her first final of Karate 1-Premier League following a 3-2 victory over local hopeful Fatima-Zahra Chaja.

The medal bouts on Sunday can be followed on a number of TV networks and platforms around the world. FULL LIST OF PROVIDERS.

RESULTS OF 2023 KARATE 1-PREMIER LEAGUE RABAT