The 2021 Karate 1-Premier League Istanbul concluded today with a celebration of the sport as Karate went back to action after one year of hiatus. 

The 2021 Karate 1-Premier League Istanbul concluded today with a celebration of the sport as Karate went back to the competition after one year of hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. Turkish karatekas dominated the competition with three gold medals.

Serap Ozcelik Arapoglu became the big star of the tournament as she prevailed in Female Kumite -50kg thus opening the gold medal count for the hosts. The current Grand Winner defeated Germany’s Shara Hubrich by 4-2 after clinching an impressive Ippon at the final. 

“This gold medal is very important to me. We have been away from the competition for so long that it means a lot to me to start with a victory. I hope that I can repeat this success at the next events,” said Serap Ozcelik Arapoglu.

Turkey’s second medal was claimed by Eray Samdan. The former Grand Winner edged Firdovsi Farzaliyev of Azerbaijan with a single “Yuko” (1-0). It is Samdan’s fifth gold medal in Karate 1-Premier League.

GRAND WINNER SAJAD GANJZADEH SHINES IN ISTANBUL

Completing an outstanding tournament all the way from the eliminations to the final, Sajad Ganjzadeh earned the status of the hero of the day with a compelling performance in the final of Male Kumite +84kg. The Grand Winner of the category defeated Ryzvan Talibov of Ukraine by 7-0 in a demonstration of efficient Karate. The current number 2 in WKF World ranking produced one of the most spectacular moments of the day with an impressive “Ippon” by “Mawashi Geri” kick.

“I am very happy for this gold medal in our first international event after the pandemic. I think I did a good fight today and I am glad to come back home with this medal,” said Sajad Ganjzadeh.

TWO GOLDS IN KATA FOR SPAIN

Sandra Sanchez of Spain continues leading the Female Kata competition as she claimed her sixth consecutive gold medal in international events. The Grand Winner from Spain defeated local hopeful Dilara Bozan by 27.94 to 25.34. Sanchez who is the WKF World ranking leader performed a flawless “Chatanyara Kushanku” kata to extend her domination of the category.

Damian Quintero took Spain’s second gold in Kata. The current WKF World ranking leader beat Turkey’s Ali Sofuoglu by 26.36 to 26.12 with an excellent “Suparinpei” kata. It is Quintero’s second gold in the last three international events.

DEMONSTRATIONS OF TOP KARATE IN ISTANBUL

One of the most thrilling moments of the day featured Luigi Busa of Italy. The fan favourite and current European champion was well behind on the scoreboard in the final match of Male Kumite -75kg against Dastonbek Otabolaev of Uzbekistan. However, an Ippon in the last seconds of the clash gave the athlete nicknamed “The Gorilla” an impressive victory by 4-2.

Ali Elsawy of Egypt prevented another gold medal for Turkey as the current African Championships runner-up defeated local athlete Burak Uygur in the final of Male Kumite -67kg. The match was a tour-de-force between the two masters of offensive Karate, but the victory went to Elsawy by “Senshuu” or first unopposed point (3-3).  

The last of the individual finals with Turkish presence was the Female Kumite +68kg category. Meltem Hocaoglu Akyol could not claim the third gold for the hosts as Sofya Berultseva of Kazakhstan took the final clash by “Hantei” or decision (3-3).

Meanwhile, in Female Kumite -55kg Valeria Kumizaki of Brazil defeated Valentina Toro of Chile in a tight final bout. With the match ending 1-1 after each competitor scored a “Yuko”, the victory went to Kumizaki by “Senshuu” or the first unopposed point.

Jovana Prekovic of Serbia in Female Kumite -61kg, Silvia Semeraro of Italy in Female Kumite -68kg and Zabiollah Poorshab of Iran in Male Kumite -84kg all won by “Kiken” or absence of their opponents by injury. The squads of Spain and Turkey took the title in Female Team Kata and Male Team Kata respectively.

The next event of the 2021 Karate 1-Premier League is scheduled for April 30-May 2 in Lisbon (Portugal). CLICK HERE to go to all the info about the event including results.

(Pictures: Gokhan Tanner / WKF)