World Championships Senior

Preview Linz 2016: Continuity or revolution in Male Kumite -67kg

2016-10-22

Preview Linz 2016: Continuity or revolution in Male Kumite -67kg

As disputed and exciting as the Karate World Championships are, few categories are as open and as uncertain as the Male Kumite -67kg. The top three placed athletes in the world ranking are separated by barely 1000 points, no Karateka has won more than one event in this category in Karate 1-Premier League this year, and the current World Championships gold medallist is absent of the thrilling event to be held in Linz.

As disputed and exciting as the Karate World Championships are, few categories are as open and as uncertain as the Male Kumite -67kg. The top three placed athletes in the world ranking are separated by barely 1000 points, no Karateka has won more than one event in this category in Karate 1-Premier League this year, and the current World Championships gold medallist is absent of the thrilling event to be held in Linz.

With World champion William Rolle of France not registered to participate in Linz, the status of top favourite falls in Brazilian Vinicius Rezende Figueira’s hands. The world ranking leader earned the bronze medal two years ago in the World Championships in Bremen and reaches the top event in Linz after winning three medals in Karate 1-Premier League this season. The Pan American bronze medallist will try to advance in the final podium in Linz thus following the footsteps of Brazilian idol and role model Douglas Brose.

Also acting as one top candidate to shine in Linz, Egypt’s Madgy Hanafy will try to avenge the defeat against France’s Willian Rolle in the final in Bremen two years ago so to improve the silver medal earned in the last edition of the World Championships. The Egyptian fan favourite is currently the third placed in the world ranking and this year he has claimed two medasl in three appearances in Karate 1-Premier League, including his flashy victory in the event held in Hamburg.

The list of medallists in Bremen two years ago is completed with Switzerland’s Kujtim Bajrami. The 30-year old Karateka has only won one medal in major international events following his third position in the last World Championships, so the Swiss hopeful will try to take the opportunity to redeem himself from being away of the podiums in the biggest stage of the sport in Linz.

The eyes of fans will also be posed in Steven Dacosta of France. The promising Karateka caused a sensation when he was proclaimed European champion at home this year and the rising star appears as the main option to continue France’s success in the category.

Second placed in the world ranking Yves Martial Tadissi of Hungary and World Junior, Cadet and U21 champion Burak Uygur of Turkey will try to surprise this coming week in Linz. The hopes of the host delegation will be posed in local karateka Thomas Kaserer. The Austrian athlete, who reaches the event in Linz in fifth position of the world ranking has claimed only one medal in Karate 1-Premier League this season, the silver precisely earned at home in Salzburg.  

Go to the World Championships section to find more information on Linz 2016. 

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