Japan dominates in Shaoguan

Japan won six titles at the Asian Karate Federation Cadet, Junior and U21 Championships in Shaoguan, China.

The Japanese showcased their talent against the best young karate athletes from across Asia competing for continental titles.

Japan emerged as the clear leader on the opening day with Iran and Saudi Arabia also securing important victories, while athletes from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and China added to the diversity of champions.

Reika Sugino claimed the cadet kata female gold after defeating Nguyen Mai Quynh Anh of Vietnam in a well-controlled performance that highlighted her precision and rhythm.

Japan also triumphed in the cadet kata male category. Ryushin Shimabukuro beat Bin Shah Zulfaqqar Abdul Rayyan of Malaysia to secure another title for his country.

Hana Yamamoto of Japan took gold in the -47 kg kumite category. She overcame Wang Ziqian of China, showing speed and control in her attacks.

Japan struck again in the -70 kg category. Ukyo Kaneko overcame Faryar Bahadori of Iran with sharp timing and accuracy.

Japan continued its dominance in kata winning both team golds. The Japanese female squad overcame Vietnam with synchronized and powerful performances.

The Japanese male kata team secured gold when they defeated Saudi Arabia, confirming Japan’s status as the strongest kata nation.

Iran celebrated victory through Setayesh Ghanei Fard, who defeated Ravindran Lalitaanjali of Malaysia to capture the -54 kg title.

Balnur Kurbanali of Kazakhstan won the -61 kg category. She beat Japan’s Karikomi Wakana in a strong tactical contest.

Iran secured a second cadet female title thanks to Setayesh Afshar Asbaki. She defeated Nisangkat Chonlada of Thailand in the 61+ kg final.

Uzbekistan’s Solijon Soibov stood on top of the podium in the -52 kg category. He beat Sangtong Thawin of Thailand in a sharp final match.

In the -57 kg division, Abdulrahman Arafat of Saudi Arabia defeated Nurseiit Almat of Kazakhstan. His strong finish secured Saudi Arabia’s first gold of the day.

China earned its first cadet title when Enxi Shi beat Arshya Moallemimaleki of Iran in the -63 kg final. The home crowd in Shaoguan celebrated his victory.

Saudi Arabia added a second gold medal as Bader Albargawi claimed victory in the +70 kg division. He beat Zhu Shaoyu of China in a decisive final.

Meanwhile in the opposite of the world Japanese senior karatekas, won two medals at the Karate 1-Series A in Salzburg.

Japan’s Eiji Otsuki claimed the male kata title in Salzburg. defeating Ricardo Perez de Abreu of Venezuela in the final with a 41.80 to 41.40 scoreline. The clash between the two was tight, but Otsuki’s clean execution and rhythm carried him through.

Italy celebrated its first gold medal of the tournament through Elena Roversi. She edged Belgium’s Chiara Manca with a score of 41.80 to 40.90 in the female kata final. Roversi’s sharp stances and fluid transitions gave her the advantage in a closely contested match.

The +84kg category produced an all-Japan final. Yuta Mori faced Kentarou Yamauchi and secured a convincing 6-1 win. Mori’s attacking precision made the difference, as he closed out the day’s events with a strong performance for Japan.

In a dramatic +68kg kumite final, Ukraine’s Yuliia Krot defeated Guadalupe Quintal Catzin of Mexico. The match ended in a 4-4 tie, but Krot took gold by decision, showing tactical patience under pressure.