Shocking results are rocking the electrifying Karate 1-Premier League being held in Rotterdam. Karate Stars and top favourites are struggling to reach the final stages of competition as promising karatekas are taking the spotlight with impressive performances in the first day of the event.

Shocking results are rocking the electrifying Karate 1-Premier League being held in Rotterdam. Karate Stars and top favourites are struggling to reach the final stages of competition as promising karatekas are taking the spotlight with impressive performances in the first day of the event.

Japan's Kiyou Shimizu confirmed her star status and qualified for her tenth final in ten appearances in international competitions.  The two-time World champion paved her way to continue her unbeaten record in Female Kata by defeating top favourites such as Karate Star Sandra Sanchez and France's Sandy Scordo. Shimizu will clash in the final against Hikaru Ono thus making an all-Japan title-deciding bout. The promising young Karateka Ono aims at continuing her impressive start of the season following her victory at Karate 1-Premier League in Paris.

Alexandra Recchia shines in Rotterdam

Alexandra Recchia came back from her bitter participation at home during Karate 1-Premier League in Paris and this time managed to reach the final of Female Kumite -50kg category. The defending World champion demonstrated her condition of one of the powerhouses of international Karate by making it to her second consecutive final at Karate 1-Premier League in Rotterdam. The defending World champion and winner of the event in Rotterdam last year will meet in the final with Morocco's Aicha Sayah. In her second appearance in the first-class Karate competition, the young Moroccan athlete surprised and made it to her first final in international tournaments.

Damian Quintero shows power

In men's categories, Damian Quintero also produced a remarkable comeback and after failing to reach the final stages in Paris presented a sensational performance to qualify for the gold medal bout in Male Kata. The Spaniard and 2016 Grand Winner will clash on the last day against Japan's and silver medallist in Paris Issei Shimbaba in one highlight of the Sunday session.

In Male Kumite -60kg, Uzbekistan's Sadriddin Saymatov aims at repeating success in Paris where the young karateka achieved his first gold medal in two participations in Karate 1-Premier League. At the other side of the tatami, four-time Karate 1-Premier League gold medallist Kalvis Kalnis of Latvia will try to defeat the rising star so to get his first title since the 2014 Karate 1-Premier League Grand Final in Salzburg.

Clash of young titans in Male Kumite -67kg

Two of the most promising karatekas at the moment, France's Steven Dacosta and Venezuela's Andres Madera will fight for gold in one of the most anticipated bouts of the final day of action in Rotterdam. The Venezuelan World championships bronze medallist and the European champion from France will clash for the domination of Male Kumite -67kg category.

In team competitions, Indonesia and Morocco surprised and reached the final of Male Team Kata while front-runners Italy and France made to the last day in Female Team Kata.

Elimination rounds in the rest of the categories take the stage in the second day of action. Finals and bronze medal bouts will be held on Sunday. The last day of the event will be streamed live on Karateworld.tv.

About Karate World TV Channel 

The Karate World TV Channel gives fans around the world a front row seat to view all the Karate 1- Premier League events. By signing to the Karate World TV Channel, Karate fans will receive all the excitement of the 2017 Karate 1-Premier League in HD, including all five tournaments LIVE, On-demand event replays, Video On Demand and Exclusive Content. 

Sign up for the Karate World TV Channel HERE

About Karate 1 – Premier League 

The Karate1-Premier League- is the most important league event in the world of Karate. It comprises of a number of the most prominent Karate competitions, with the cities of Paris (France), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Dubai (UAE), Rabat (Morocco) and Halle/Leipzig (Germany) acting as the stops of this year’s edition.

The Karate 1-Premier League will also be one of the key elements in the road to the Olympic qualification since the points to be allocated in Karate 1-Premier League tournaments will play an essential role in the configuration of the World ranking. 

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