Continental Championships

European Karate elite ready to participate in anticipated #EuroKarate2018

2018-05-04

European Karate elite ready to participate in anticipated #EuroKarate2018

The best karatekas in Europa are set to compete in less than one week at the 2018 Karate Senior European Championships. As the countdown for the anticipated event intensifies, the heroes of the sport in Europe put their eyes on the continental title. 

The best karatekas in Europe are set to compete in less than one week at the 2018 Karate Senior European Championships. As the countdown for the anticipated event intensifies, the heroes of the sport in Europe put their eyes on the continental title. 

Nearly 600 athletes from 52 countries will take part in the event which is scheduled for May 10-13. This tally represents a remarkable increase from last years’ edition of the tournament since 490 karatekas from 43 countries participated in the 2017 European Championships while 508 competitors from 46 nations were registered in 2016. 

Karate fans can also expect an outstanding level of competition at the event to be held next week in Novi Sad (Serbia). Five world champions and all the current continental title-holders will appear at the tournament. 

Grand Winners and Kata ‘royalty’ Sandra Sanchez and Damian Quintero of Spain both hope to extend in Nov Sad their impressive domination of the Kata category. Sandra Sanchez aims top get her fourth consecutive European crown and her 27th straight medal in international competitions. Damian Quintero hopes to continue leading the Male Kata category with his fifth continental title. The two Spanish Grand Winners have taken the top of the podium of the European Championships since 2015 and appear as the main aces to beat in the quest to the medals of the category of choreographed movements. 

KARATE HEROES TO CONTINUE DOMINATION IN EUROPE

Anne Laure Florentin of France also takes the favourite status in Novi Sad. The French karateka has won gold in the last two editions of the European Championships and aims at the triple crown in Female Kumite +68kg. Turkey’s Ugur Aktas is the big name in the Male Kumite -84kg category as the Turkish ace also is setting his eyes in his third consecutive title. Aktas, who had earned four gold medals in underage European Championships, is dominating the category at the continental scene with gold medals in the last two editions of the event. 

The attention of the 53rd European Championships will be also placed on top karatekas who arrive in Novi Sad hoping to re-take the continental title. Azerbaijan’s Rafael Aghayev has claimed a whopping count of ten European crowns and competes to regain his command of the Male Kumite -75kg category after being absent from the event in 2017. 

Alexandra Recchia is another of the names to watch as the current World champion is focusing on her third continental title in Female Kumite -50kg after finishing seventh last year. In this category, a thrilling showdown is anticipated as Recchia will clash for gold with the likes of three-time European champion Serap Ozcelik of Turkey and current title-holder Kateryna Kryva of Ukraine among others. 

World champions Alisa Buchinger of Austria in Female Kumite -61kg, Emilie Thouy of France in Female Kumite -55kg, and Jordan Thomas of England in Male Kumite -67kg are another of the top competitors to follow next week in Novi Sad. The eyes of the local fans will be set on the 16 representatives from the organising country competing at home. Current European champion Jovana Prekovic in Female Kumite -61kg, and six-placed in WKF ranking Slobodan Bitevic in Male Kumite +84kg are among the favourites of the host country. 

The competition starts Thursday 10th with the first categories at stake. The bronze medal bouts and finals are scheduled for Saturday, 12th and Sunday, 13th. The two final days of action from Novi Sad will be streamed LIVE and FREE on karateworld.tv.