The 2023 Karate 1-Series A Larnaca concluded Sunday with a host of up-and-coming karatekas dominating the competition.

Mishima Kiri won her first gold medal in international competitions after claiming the title of Female Kata. The Japanese karateka defeated Jana Khamis of Egypt after excelling in her presentation of “Suparinpei” kata (scores of 42.8 to 40.8).

Sofia Cardenas of Colombia confirmed her status as one of the most promising karatekas of her category in the Americas as she claimed the crown in Female Kumite -50kg. The current continental championships runner-up won gold in her first appearance in Karate 1-Series A events following an outstanding 12-6 victory over Natalia Vargova of Slovakia.

Olympic gold medallist Ivet Goranova of Bulgaria confirmed the predictions and won the title of Female Kumite -55kg. In her first final of the season, the two-time World Championships medallist defeated Zeynab Jafarnejad of Iran 2-0.

In Female Kumite -61kg, Mina Trikos of Serbia upset Hillary Jennifer Zameto of France 3-3 to win her first international crown.

France bounced back from this defeat since Melinda Marmot took the French flag to the top of the podium in Female Kumite -68kg. A first-time finalist, Marmot edged Sofia Ferrarini of Italy 1-0.  

The second gold medal for France was taken by Rayyan Meziane of France in Male Kumite -60kg. Meziane who just claimed silver at the Karate 1-Premier League Dublin defeated Aly Zyad of Egypt in the final 5-2.

France could not add one more gold to their count since Kilian Cizo lost the final of Male Kumite -75kg against Heorhii Pitsul of Ukraine. Also a first-timer, Pitsul won the final 5-3.

The Female Kumite categories ended with disappointment for the host country, as local hopeful Theodosia Giamouki of Cyprus lost the final of Female Kumite +68kg against Julia Daniszewska of Poland. It was also the first title for the promising Polish karateka.

The second final with Polish representatives was Male Kumite -84kg and ended with the victory of Adi Gyurik of Slovakia. The Slovak karateka defeated Michal Florczak of Poland 6-0.

Meanwhile, in Male Kata, powerhouse nation of Italy could finally celebrate a triumph with Alessio Ghinami winning the gold after beating Adam Bardos of Hungary. The Italian karateka who had a bronze medal at the 2022 Karate 1-Series A Pamplona under his belt claimed the title with scores of 42.5 to 41.1.

After winning the title in Larnaca this year at the U21 EKF Championships, Ika Sulamanidze of Georgia won her second gold on Cypriot turf following a slim 1-0 triumph over Iran’s Amirreza Borzooeichaghagolani in Male Kumite -67kg.

Iran ended up celebrating one gold medal in Larnaca. Mahmoud Nemati prevailed in Male Kumite +84kg after defeating Greg Anderson of Scotland 5-2.

The victories of Egypt in both Female and Male Team Kata completed the list of gold medals today.

After the event in Larnaca, the Karate 1-Series A travels to Matosinhos (Portugal) where the final event of the season will take place from November 24 to 26.

Relive the final day of the competition on the WKF YouTube channel.

2023 KARATE 1-SERIES A LARNACA

https://www.wkf.net/news-center-new/new-generation-of-karatekas-win-gold-medals-at-karate1larnaca/2350

(picture: Martin Kremser)