Over 1200 competitors from 85 countries are gathering this weekend in Istanbul to clash for gold in the record-breaking second event of the Karate 1-Series A season. The increasing impact of international Karate competitions is further stated in an event that continues the trend of massive participation of competitors from all over the world. 

Over 1200 competitors from 85 countries are gathering this weekend in Istanbul to clash for gold in the record-breaking second event of the Karate 1-Series A season. The increasing impact of international Karate competitions is further stated in an event that continues the trend of massive participation of competitors from all over the world. 

While the season of Karate 1-Premier League which ended two weeks ago registered an increase of 35% in the number of participants, the tendency is continued in Karate 1-Series A events. Over 600 competitors from 57 countries took part in the inaugural tournament of the season which took place in Toledo (Spain).  Now for the second Karate 1-Series A event, the tally skyrocketed to over 1200 karatekas from 85 countries. Last year Istanbul hosted a Karate 1-Premier League competition that registered nearly 500 competitors from 54 nations. 

TOP COMPETITORS IN ACTION IN ISTANBUL

The competition starts on Saturday morning and will finish on Sunday. Some of the front-runners in the main categories at stake are taking the tatami to shine at the event. 

2017 Grand Winner and local heroine Serap Ozcelik will be one of the stars of the tournament since the Turkish multi-medallist karateka hopes to extend her outstanding season with a victory at home in front of family and fans.

World champion Kiyou Shimizu of Japan and second-placed at WKF World Ranking Viviana Bottaro of Italy are registered to act as top favourites in Female Kata, while world champion Ryo Kiyuna of Japan will try to continue her impressive winning streak in Male Kata. 

Grand Winner Anzhelika Terliuga of Ukraine in Female Kumite -55kg, world champion Alisa Buchinger of Austria in Female Kumite -61kg, and World Championships bronze medallist Dominika Tatarova of Slovakia in Female Kumite +68kg are among the big names to follow in female categories. 

Meanwhile, in male competition, Grand Winner Sadriddin Saymatov of Uzbekistan hopes to increase his surprising record this season with yet one more triumph so to further state his status of Karate’s biggest rising star. The category of Male Kumite -67kg will also see a Grand Winner fighting for gold since Andres Madera of Venezuela aims at continuing at the top of the World ranking with a victory in Istanbul.

One of the main points of interest of the event will happen in the Male Kumite -75kg category. After nearly four months of absence due to injuries, Karate superstar Rafael Aghayev is expected to return to action in Istanbul. Grand Winner Stanislav Horuna of Ukraine will be among his main rivals in one of the highlights of the thrilling event capturing the attention of Karate fans around the world this weekend. 

CLICK HERE for more information on the Karate 1-Series A in Istanbul