Japan picks up three gold medals (Photo WKF/ @sportactionteam)
Japanese karateks dominated the opening day of the Karate 1-Series A in Kuala Lumpur, winning three gold medals on a trot.
Kotomi Sato of Japan delivered a strong and precise performance to secure the first gold medal for the Japanese in the women’s kata event. She edged out her compatriot, Azuki Iwatani, in a tight final, winning with a score of 41.60 to 40.60. Sato’s sharp movements and consistency gave her the edge, helping Japan start the day with a golden result in Kuala Lumpur.
Japan made it two in a row in kata as Ken Okamoto triumphed in the men’s final. Facing fellow Japanese athlete Eiji Otsuki, Okamoto scored 42.80 against Otsuki’s 42.40. The final was closely contested, but Okamoto’s clean execution sealed the victory, adding another gold for Japan’s kata squad.
The women’s kumite 68+ kg final brought a historic win for Nepal. Arika Gurung defeated Tesnim Msakni of Türkiye 2-0, becoming the first non-Japanese athlete to top the podium on day one. Gurung showed excellent tactical awareness, scoring steadily to secure her gold and ensuring Nepal’s flag was raised at the end of a competitive bout.
Japan returned to dominance in the men’s heavyweight +84kg kumite. Kentarou Yamauchi powered past Türkiye’s Kadir Furkan Genc with a commanding 7-0 victory. Yamauchi displayed total control throughout the match, using speed and precision to keep his opponent scoreless while racking up points.
