The 2022 Commonwealth Karate Championships were held in Birmingham (UK) from September 7 to 11. England claimed first place in the final medal table with a total of 63 medals including 24 golds. Representatives of Scotland and Australia also performed at an impressive level with 22 and 21 medals, respectively.

As the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games came to a finish just one month ago, the English Karate Federation welcomed international delegations from over 20 countries to the 10th Commonwealth Karate Championships. Competitors were divided into 83 countries, from cadet to senior including Para-Karate.

In senior divisions, karatekas from the host country dominated the competition. Niamh Cosgrove took the title in Female Kumite -50kg while Lauren Salisbury won gold in Female Kumite -68kg. Nat Hearn claimed the third title for England in Male Kata, as Shaun Day Ethan opened the gold medal count in Male Kumite divisions with his title in Male Kumite -60kg. Joe Kellaway completed the gold medal count for England in Male Kumite -84kg.

The popularity of Karate in the Commonwealth countries was confirmed as representatives from four continents went home with gold medals.

Claudia Laos Loo of Canada took the title in Female Kata while Amy Connell of Scotland won gold in Female Kumite -55kg. The winner of Female Kumite -61kg was Dana Purves of Scotland. The third crown for the Scottish delegation came in Female Kumite +68kg, by Niamh Junner.   

In Male Kumite -67kg, the gold medal was claimed by Marcos Tsangaras of Cyprus as Mitchell Durham of Australia won the crown in Male Kumite -75kg. The list of gold medallists in senior categories was completed by Morgan Moss of South Africa in Male Kumite +84kg.

On Day1 of the competition, the World Karate Federation (WKF) President Antonio Espinós opened the championships by wishing both competitors and organisers good luck, stating “the event will be a fantastic opportunity for the best karateka in the Commonwealth countries to demonstrate their skills and abilities”.

Sonny Pillay, President of the Commonwealth Karate Federation (CKF) voiced his positivity about the city of Birmingham hosting the championships by saying: “I would urge the delegates, officials, and athletes who have travelled huge distances, to take in the sounds and sights of the glorious city of Birmingham before returning home.” 

Such optimism was carried across the Karate family, as Steve Coupland, President of the English Karate Federation hoped the event would bolster the progress of Karate in sport and celebrate the championships as “a significant milestone for the sport. 

CLICK HERE to go to the micro-site of the 2022 Commonwealth Karate Championships.