(Photo WKF)
The first champions of the fourth Karate One Youth League event of the season were crowned as the event got underway in Poreč, Croatia. Ukraine claimed two of the titles at stake on the opening day.
Savelii Ilchuk edges close final in Junior Kumite Male -76 kg
Ukraine’s Savelii Ilchuk claimed the Junior Kumite Male -76 kg gold medal after a narrow 3-2 victory over Ali Arnautovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was one of the closest finals of the day, with Ilchuk holding on to secure the win.
Yaroslav Kinash dominates Junior Kumite Male +76 kg
Ukraine’s Yaroslav Kinash finished the day with an impressive performance in the Junior Kumite Male +76 kg final. Kinash defeated France’s Muhammed Ali Akgun 5-0 to take the gold medal and complete a dominant run through the competition.
Rita Marques claims Junior Kata Female title
Portugal’s Rita Marques won the Junior Kata Female gold medal after defeating France’s Iliana Voratovic by 5-0 in the final. Marques delivered a confident performance to secure the first kata title of the tournament.
Tarik Koc takes Junior Kata Male gold
Türkiye’s Tarik Koc captured the Junior Kata Male crown with a 4-1 victory over Spain’s Jose Angel León de la Peña. Koc impressed throughout the competition and finished the day with a strong performance in the final.
Mariam Bsharat triumphs in Junior Kumite Female -66 kg
Palestine’s Mariam Bsharat earned the Junior Kumite Female -66 kg title after beating Serbia’s Ana Manojlovic 2-0. Bsharat controlled the final from the opening exchange to claim the gold medal.
Nicole Correddu wins Junior Kumite Female +66 kg
Italy’s Nicole Correddu secured the Junior Kumite Female +66 kg gold medal with a 3-3 victory over Montenegro’s Una Rakovic. Correddu claimed the title on tie-breaking criteria after an evenly contested final.
Maksadbek Umrbekov tops Junior Kumite Male -55 kg
Uzbekistan’s Maksadbek Umrbekov won the Junior Kumite Male -55 kg division by defeating Greece’s Athanasios Filiagkos 5-3. The final featured several scoring exchanges before Umrbekov pulled away to take the title.
