Fatma Naz Yenen of Türkiye took gold. (Photo WKF)
The final day of the 2026 Karate One Premier League in Istanbul saw Grand Winners Grace Lau Mo Sheung, Eray Samdan, Abdalla Abdelaziz and Kakeru Nishiyama atop the winners podiums.
Grace Lau rules Female Kata
Grace Lau of Hong Kong, China defeated Maho Ono of Japan by a clear 7-0 score. The final confirmed a rivalry that now defines the category.
She claimed her sixth straight win over Ono and added the Istanbul title to the world championship she won in November. Competing as the reigning Grand Winner, she opened the season with authority and calm control.
Eray Samdan shines and bows out in Male Kumite -60 kg
Eray Samdan of Türkiye beat Nuri Kilic of Türkiye 7-5 in a tense final. The defending world champion showed sharp timing to secure the win.
Competing at home, Samdan celebrated his debut as a Grand Winner in front of family and friends. Moments later, he surprised the crowd by announcing his retirement from international competition.
Agnes Nyman stuns the field in Female Kumite -50 kg
Agnes Nyman of Sweden defeated Shara Hubrich of Germany 3-1. At just 18 years old, Nyman produced the biggest upset of the day.
While she had already won two continental underage titles and a silver medal at the 2024 Junior World Championships. In Istanbul, she claimed her first senior title and announced herself at the highest level.
Iurik Ogannisian claims breakthrough in Male Kumite -67 kg
Iurik Ogannisian of WKF-1 won 2-0 against Georgios Baliotis of Greece. The match was tight and tactical, with few openings. Ogannisian stayed patient and precise to secure his first Karate One Premier League gold. The win adds momentum to the season of the current European silver medallist.
Bella Samasheva doubles up in Female Kumite -55 kg
Bella Samasheva of Kazakhstan edged Nina Kvasnicova of Slovakia 2-1. The final was close until the last exchanges. Samasheva’s control made the difference in defeating the current World Championships silver medallist.
It was Samasheva’s second Karate One Premier League gold medal. Her previous title also came in Türkiye, in Antalya, in 2024.
Abdalla Abdelaziz dominates again in Male Kumite -75 kg
Abdalla Abdelaziz of Egypt beat Omer Faruk Yurur of Türkiye 5-5 and won the bout by senshu, the first unopposed point. The final was intense until the last seconds, as a late ‘Yuko’ (1 point) gave Abdelaziz the edge he needed to claim the title.
The defending Grand Winner and current world champion secured his fourth straight gold medal and confirmed his grip on the category as the current World, continental champion and Grand Winner.
Male Kata – Kakeru Nishiyama Stays Untouchable
Kakeru Nishiyama of Japan won the male kata title after beating fellow Japanese athlete Kazumasa Moto 5–2. Nishiyama confirmed his status as the sport’s top reference, since he is the current Grand Winner, world champion, and continental champion.
With gold in Istanbul, he claimed his 13th straight international victory, continuing a winning run that has lasted since November 2023.
Female Kumite -61 kg – Fatma Naz Yenen Shines at Home
Fatma Naz Yenen of Türkiye took gold with a narrow 4–3 win over Maryam Ajaray of Belgium. Competing on home soil, Yenen controlled the bout and held on until the final second.
This is her first gold medal at Karate One Premier League, and her best result before Istanbul was silver at the 2023 World Championships.
Male Kumite -84 kg – Omar Osman Upsets Grand Winner Badawy
Omar Osman of Egypt claimed the -84 kg title with a 1–0 win over Youssef Badawy of Egypt. One clean Yuko (1 point) decided the final.
Osman is the current continental champion and the defending U21 world champion. He defeated the Grand Winner and tournament favourite with patience and sharp timing.
Female Kumite -68 kg – Nisrine Brouk Breaks Through
Nisrine Broukof Morocco won gold after beating Hadir Hendy of Egypt 4–2. Brouk stayed active throughout the bout and took control with clear attacks.
This is her first Karate One Premier League title. Before Istanbul, she had reached two finals and finished with silver medals.
Male Kumite +84 kg – Rodrigo Rojas Returns to the Top
Rodrigo Rojas of Chile secured the +84 kg crown with a 4–3 victory over Taha Mahmoud of Egypt. A late Yuko (1 point) turned the match in his favour and took him to the top of the podium.
Rojas is the current continental champion and defeated the defending Grand Winner. This is his first Karate One Premier League title since his win in Fortaleza in 2016.
Female Kumite +68 kg – Sofya Berultseva Claims Long-Awaited Gold
Sofya Berultseva of Kazakhstan won the +68 kg final 4–2 against Arika Gurung of Nepal. Berultseva is the current world championships runner-up and continental champion.
The Istanbul title is her first Karate One Premier League gold since Moscow in 2021, marking a strong start to the new season.
The next stop of Karate’s first-class series of events will be in Rome, Italy, from March 13 to 15.
