The city of Wroclaw in Poland will host From July 20 to 30 the anticipated 2017 edition of The World Games. As the event begins its final countdown, the list of participants of the Karate competition has been confirmed. World champions, World ranking leaders and the biggest stars of the sport will clash for gold in Wroclaw in less than 50 days.

The city of Wroclaw in Poland will host From July 20 to 30 the anticipated 2017 edition of The World Games. As the event begins its final countdown, the list of participants of the Karate competition has been confirmed. World champions, World ranking leaders and the biggest stars of the sport will clash for gold in Wroclaw in less than 50 days.

Nearly 100 of the best world’s karatekas will participate in The World Games 2017. Representatives from 44 countries will compete in the twelve categories in contention, and Karate fans can expect a spectacular quest for victory.

In Male Kata, current world champion Ryo Kiyuna of Japan acts as main front-runner, while World ranking leader Damian Quintero of Spain and The World Games 2013 champion Antonio Diaz appear among the top contenders to reach the top of the podium.

The main question in Female Kata category will be if two-time World champion Kiyou Shimizu can extend her impressive run of victories in international competition. Spain’s Sandra Sanchez, defending  champion Sandy Scordo of France and USA’s Pan American champion Sakura Kokumai are among the karatekas hoping to cause the big upset of the tournament.

RAFAEL AGHAYEV AIMS AT SECOND GOLD

Karate enthusiasts will also have their eyes set in Male Kumite -75kg, as superstar Rafael Aghayev aims at continue making history in the sport. The five-time world champion is the defending title-holder of the event after his flashing triumph in Cali (Colombia) four years ago.  Karate Star Thomas Scott of the USA and Hernani Verissimo of Brazil will be among the athletes taking their chances against the big fan favourite.

Fresh of his fourth consecutive continental title, Douglas Brose of Brazil hopes to improve the silver that the Karate Star won four years ago. World ranking leader and current world champion Amir Mehdizadeh of Iran and Emad Almalki of Saudi Arabia are among the candidates.

The stakes will be high in Male Kumite -67kg, as world champion Jordan Thomas of England, World championships bronze medallist Andres Madera of Venezuela and France’s Steven Dacosta will try to shine in Wroclaw.

WORLD CHAMPIONS HOPING TO EXTEND STREAK

In Male Kumite -84kg Japan’s Ryutaro Araga hopes to increase his tally of golds – World championships included – with a triumph in Wroclaw. The Japanese ace is the defending title-holder in a category that also has big names such as Turkey’s Ugur Aktas or Georgia’s Gogita Arkania, among others. 

In Male Kumite +84kg, world champion Sajad Ganjzadeh of Iran aims at the crown in possession of Jonathan Horne of Germany who also competes in Wroclaw.

The predictions are impossible to make in Female Kumite -50kg, as many front-runners will be ready to fight on the tatami. Defending World champion Alexandra Recchia of France, Karate Star and current champion Serap Ozcelik of Turkey and Ukraine’s Kateryna Kryva also hope to make their mark.

In Female Kumite -55kg, top karatekas such as World champion Emilie Thouy of France, fan favourite Sara Cardin of Italy or Pan American champion Valeria Kumizaki of Brazil will capture the attention of fans.

EYES SET IN UNBEATABLE GIANA LOTFY

The main contender in Female Kumite -61kg category is Giana Lotfy of Egypt, who has not lost a bout in individual competition in over three years. France’s Lucie Ignace or Ingrida Suchankova of Slovakia are among the candidates to shine.

The competition in Female Kumite -68kg will be marked by the disputed quest to gold among karatekas such as defending gold medallist Kayo Someya of Japan, World champion Alisa Buchinger of Austria or World Championships runner-up Katrine Pedersen of Denmark.

Many stars will also take part in Female Kumite +68kg as current title holder and top favourite Ayumi Uekusa of Japan will try to extend her domination of the category. Anne Laure Florentin of France and Dominika Tatarova of Slovakia will also take their chances in the spectacular event in Wroclaw.

CLICK HERE to have access to the complete list of participants of Karate at The World Games.