The 2022 Karate 1-Series A Pamplona began today with a day full of excitement. The thrill of the new format of the event, with a limited number of competitors, and the challenge of the WKF World Ranking determined the opening day of action.

NIAM JUNNER AIMS AT TOP 32

Niamh Junner of Scotland took a step forward to reach the Top 32 of the World Ranking as she qualified for the final of Female Kumite +68kg. The number 44 of the ranking needs to win the title in Pamplona to make it to G32.

The other spot in the final is taken by Tatiana Zyabkina of Russia. The Russian athlete defeated Samira Mujeznovic of Germany in the semi-finals 4-0.

SALIM BENDIAM USES WORLD RANKING CHALLENGE IN HIS FAVOUR

In Male Kumite +84kg, France’s Salim Bendiam used the motivation from the WKF World Ranking challenge to prevail today. The French karateka who was in position 44 of the ranking needed to reach the podium to make it to the Top 32. The 2011 U21 continental champion upset Greg Anderson of Scotland 7-1 to qualify for the finals.

Ondrej Bosak of the Czech Republic also made it to the finals after edging Brazil’s Giovani Felipin Salgado in the semi-finals. Bosak is in position 62 of World Ranking.

SPAIN SHOW STRENGTH IN KATA

Hosts of Spain extended their domination in Kata categories as they took two spots in the finals today.

In Female Kata, Gema Morales of Spain demonstrated outstanding versatility as she qualified for the final of the category. The Spaniard who had won silver in Kumite at the 2018 Karate 1-Premier League Tokyo showed skills in kata as she topped the pool with a score of 25.78.

Her rival in the final is Nicole Mota of Brazil. The karateka who is ranked in position 36 surprised favourites and dominated the pool with a score of 25.2.

The final of Male Team Kata will also have local representation as Spain meet Kuwait for the gold medal.

SWITZERLAND VS THE NETHERLANDS IN FEMALE KUMITE -68KG

In Female Kumite -68kg, the final will see Fabienne Kaufmann of Switzerland and Lynn Snel of the Netherlands clashing for the title. Kaufmann aims at her first international medal after defeating Wiktoria Grejner of Poland (5-0). Snel beat Elina Sielimienieva of Ukraine 2-1.

With her qualification to the semifinals, Elina Sielieminieva has achieved the points she needed to reach the Top 32 in the WKF World Ranking.

POWERHOUSE NATIONS IN FINALS OF IN MALE KUMITE -75KG AND MALE KUMITE -84KG

The category of Male Kumite -75kg has Ahmed El Sharaby of Italy and Kilian Cizo of France as contenders. The Italian athlete who has a silver medal at Karate 1-Premier Leaguer under his belt claimed a convincing 7-0 victory over Maros Janovcik of Slovakia in the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Kiian Cizo who represented his country at the last World Championships reached his first-ever international final after upsetting Tiago Almeida of Portugal 3-1.   

The last category of the day also has a clash Italy vs France in the finals. In Male Kumite -84kg, Dany Makamata of France made it to the final after defeating Brian Timmermans of the Netherlands 2-0. The other finalist is Andrea Minardi of Italy who beat Ruben Henao of Colombia 2-1.

In this category, Anouar Bougrine of Belgium made it to the Top 32 after reaching the round 4 of the Pool phase.

The competition continues Saturday with day 2 of action. The medal bouts on Sunday will be available LIVE on the WKF YouTube channel.

CLICK HERE to go to the micro-site of Karate 1-Series A Pamplona.

(Pictures: @ JM Rodriguez / RFEK)