(Photo WKF)
Six champions were crowned across kata and kumite divisions, each representing a different country — a clear reflection of karate’s worldwide reach.
Host nation Malaysia celebrated their first gold of the tournament, while powerhouses from Asia, Europe, and South America also made their mark.
Team China delivered a near-flawless performance to secure the gold medal in the Female Team Kata event. The trio outscored Peru with a total of 42.00 to 40.80, combining sharp synchronisation with dynamic technique.
In the Male Team Kata final, Kuwait took a decisive win over Chinese Taipei, posting a score of 43.00 to 40.80. Kuwait’s athletes showcased strong performance and crisp transitions throughout their kata, earning the judges’ nod for gold.
Japan’s Hiroki Ito claimed a hard-fought victory in the men’s -60 kg kumite final, defeating Mohamed Nasser of Egypt by decision after a 3-3 draw. The match was a tactical clash, with both fighters showing excellent control and timing.
Malaysia’s Shahmalarani Chandran thrilled the home crowd with a dominant performance in the women’s -50 kg final, defeating Shara Hubrich of Germany 5-1. The local favourite surprised her rival with precision and energy, controlling the bout from the start.
In a tense and tactical men’s -67 kg final, Iurik Ogannisian of WKF 1 edged out Evgenii Son also from WKF 1, by hantei (decision) after a 0-0 deadlock. Ogannisian’s slightly sharper timing and defensive control earned him the judges’ favour.
Chile’s Valentina Toro Meneses emerged victorious after an exciting 7-6 win over Ai Ito of Japan in the women’s -55 kg category. The final was a fast-paced exchange of techniques, with both athletes trading points until the last seconds. Toro Meneses held her ground to secure Chile’s first gold of the tournament and one of the most entertaining matches of the day.
