The future of Karate continues showcasing their abilities at the 2018 FISU World University Championships being held in Kobe (Japan) as the competition moves to the key stages of the tournament. The list of finalists in all the individual categories was completed with promising karatekas from powerhouse nations of the sport taking the spotlight. 

The future of Karate continues showcasing their abilities at the 2018 FISU World University Championships being held in Kobe (Japan) as the competition moves to the key stages of the tournament. The list of finalists in all the individual categories was completed with promising karatekas from powerhouse nations of the sport taking the spotlight. 

After claiming five spots in the finals in the first day of competition, the Japanese representatives kept shining at home with a successful performance in the second day of action. No less than four Japanese karatekas made it to the finals of the tournament in the second day. In Male Kumite +84kg, Daiki Ando qualified for the final and he will clash for gold against Iran’s Saleh Abazari. Yuki Kujuro also took the Japanese flag to the last day of action and she will meet Melika Ahadi from Iran in the final of Female Kumite -61kg. The third representative of the host country succeeding in day 02 was Kanako Oryu who reached the title-deciding bout in Female Kumite -68kg. France’s Laura Sivert will be her rival in the anticipated bout. 

The final of Male Kumite -75kg will also see a showdown between two of the biggest powerhouses of the sport since Yusei Sakiyama from Japan will clash against France’s Lou Lebrun for gold. 

Meanwhile, the Male Kumite -84kg category will go to Australia or the USA since Durham Mitchell from Australia qualified to the final after a forceful performance (17-9 in three bouts) and Kamran Madani will try to take the gold medal to the USA after finishing his three bouts with a total tally of 17-8. Also impressive was the quest to the title-deciding bout in Female Kumite +68kg. Rosa Marie Liebold of Germany reached the final with 12-2 in three bouts while Chinese Taipei’s Tzu-Hsuan Wen took the spot in the last day of action with 7-5 in two bouts. 

The tournament continues on Saturday with the team competition. The final day of Karate action will be streamed LIVE.  Go to the micro-site of the event on wkf.net for more information. 

(Pictures: Naomichi Matsushita / AKF)