The first day of the 2024 Karate 1-Youth League in Cancun, Mexico, delivered a thrilling showcase of young karate talent, with athletes from around the world competing for top honours. The Under-21 (U21) categories were the highlight of the opening day, demonstrating the depth of skill and determination in the next generation of karatekas. Here’s a breakdown of the day’s winners:

U21 Kata Female: Maria Cardoso of Portugal wins

Maria Cardoso of Portugal emerged victorious in the U21 Kata Female category. Cardoso’s precision and grace on the mat earned her a winning score of 24.80, narrowly defeating Leidy Daniela Castaño of Colombia, who scored 23.90.  

U21 Kata Male: Lucas Hoffmann of France prevails

In the U21 Kata Male category, Lucas Hoffmann of France claimed the top spot with a score of 25.20. Hoffmann’s powerful and disciplined kata was enough to overcome Fernando Calderon of Guatemala, who posted a commendable 24.20. H

U21 Kumite Female -50 kg: Emilia Salinas of Mexico opens gold medal count for hosts

Emilia Salinas of Mexico delighted the home crowd by winning the U21 Kumite Female -50 kg category. Salinas showed great tactical awareness and control, defeating Samina Yalcin of The Netherlands with a 2-0 victory.

U21 Kumite Female -55 kg: Magdalena Godoy of Chile claims triumph

Chile’s Magdalena Godoy dominated the U21 Kumite Female -55 kg category, securing a decisive 9-1 victory over Mexico’s Ana Carolina Herrera.

U21 Kumite Female -61 kg: Eva Criou of Poland surprises

In a closely contested match, Eva Criou of Poland edged out Maria Alejandra Agudelo of Colombia with a 1-0 victory in the U21 Kumite Female -61 kg category.

U21 Kumite Female -68 kg: Luisa Palencia of Guatemala takes top honour

Luisa Palencia of Guatemala took home the gold in the U21 Kumite Female -68 kg category, defeating Mexico’s Alondra Elizabeth Mendez by a narrow margin of 1-0.

U21 Kumite Female 68+ kg: Amber Allsopp of England shows strength

England’s Amber Allsopp was in top form in the U21 Kumite Female 68+ kg category, defeating Tasa Mau Muzik of Slovakia with a commanding 5-0 score.

U21 Kumite Male -60 kg: Janco Dorta wins all-American final

The U21 Kumite Male -60 kg category saw a thrilling all-American final, with Janco Dorta defeating Kevin Cruz  5-3.

U21 Kumite Male -67 kg: Rafael Alves takes one more gold for Portugal

Portugal’s Rafael Alves took the title in the U21 Kumite Male -67 kg category, beating compatriot Guilherme Gonçalves 4-1. Alves’s win added to Portugal’s impressive tally for the day, showcasing the country’s strength in the sport.

U21 Kumite Male -75 kg: Bernardo Pineu Fernandes increases Portugal’s medal count

Bernardo Pineu Fernandes of Portugal claimed victory in the U21 Kumite Male -75 kg category, narrowly defeating fellow Portuguese athlete Diogo Inacio with a score of 1-0.  

  U21 Kumite Male -84 kg: Santiago Ospina of Colombia dominates

 Santiago Ospina of Colombia delivered a standout performance in the U21 Kumite Male -84 kg category, defeating Hugi Halldórsson of Iceland 5-1.  

  U21 Kumite Male 84+ kg: Isaac Gael Padilla increases Mexico’s success

In the final match of the day, Mexico’s Isaac Gael Padilla triumphed in the U21 Kumite Male 84+ kg category with a convincing 5-0 win over Ivan Britos of Paraguay.  

As the 2024 Karate 1-Youth League in Cancun continues, the excitement is only set to build, with more young athletes eager to prove themselves on the world stage.

2024 KARATE 1-YOUTH LEAGUE CANCUN

(Pictures: FEMEKA)