Surprises were plenty in the first day of Kumite competition of the 2017 Karate 1-Premier League in Paris. 

With a record-breaking 1243 competitors from 78 countries participating in the first big tournament of the year, the event being held in Pierre de Coubertin sports hall served to demonstrate that at high-level Karate, anything can happen

Surprises were plenty on the first day of Kumite competition of the 2017 Karate 1-Premier League in Paris. 

With a record-breaking 1243 competitors from 78 countries participating in the first big tournament of the year, the event being held in Pierre de Coubertin sports hall served to demonstrate that at high-level Karate anything can happen. Big favourites and top ranked competitors failed to reach the finals of the categories at stake on Friday by the impulse of young and upcoming figures of the sport. 

In Female Kumite -50kg, the Japanese karatekas followed the pattern initiated by Kata competitors and showcased their excellence by qualifying two competitors to clash for gold. The final will star 2015 Asian champion Ayaka Tadano against 2016 AKF Cadet, Junior & U-21 Championships gold medallist Miho Miyahara. 

Three leading names in the category suffered shocking defeats, as two-time World Champion Alexandra Recchia of France, World Championships Bronze medallist Bettina Plank of Austria and 2014 World champion Serap Ozcelik of Turkey suffered early defeats.

New names in Men’s competition 

The final of Male Kumite -60 Kg will also be decided between two competitors reaching the title-deciding bout for the first time. 2016 AKF Cadet, Junior & U-21 champion Sadriddin Saymatov of Uzbekistan reached his first final after beating Ukraine’s Ihor Uhnich in his second appearance in Karate 1-Premier League. His rival in the quest for gold will be Malaysia’s Selvarajoo Senthilkumaran in his first final in seven appearances in Karate 1-Premier League. 

Favourites 2016 World Championships bronze medallist Sofiane Agoudjil of France and European champion Matias Gomez of Spain, among others did not make it to the last round. 

In the Male Kumite -67kg surprises continued, and World champion Jordan Thomas of England was defeated by Rinat Sagandykov of Kazhastan. The 2016 World Championships bronze medallist Andres Madera of Venezuela did manage to stay in the competition, and qualified for the big final. 

The rest of the categories will take the spotlight on Saturday when the thrilling competition will resume in Pierre de Coubertin sports hall. 

Click here to read the summary of the first day in Kata categories. 

Watch the finals and bronze medal bouts LIVE on Karate 1-Premier League Channel.