The 2018 FISU World University Karate Championships conclude in Kobe (Japan) as young karatekas showed their abilities and guided the powerhouses of the sport to the top of the podium. Hosts of Japan claimed the highest position at the medal table with a tally of 14 medals including 10 golds. Iran and France also finished the event on a high note with ten and eight medals respectively. 

The 2018 FISU World University Karate Championships concluded in Kobe (Japan) with young karatekas showing their abilities and guiding the powerhouses of the sport to the top of the podium. Hosts of Japan claimed the highest position at the medal table with a tally of 14 medals including 10 golds. Iran and France also finished the event on a high note with ten and eight medals respectively. 

The representatives of the organising country gave local fans plenty of reasons to celebrate since the Japanese karatekas took the flag of the birth nation of the sport to the top of the podium no less than ten times. Japan dominated in kata categories claiming all four gold medals at stake, with Natsuki Shimizu and Yuhei Horiba winning gold in Female and Male individual Kata and the two national squads prevailing the team competition. 

The demonstration of local karatekas continued in Kumite competition as Miho Miyahara confirmed her star status and continued on top form prevailing in Female Kumite -50kg. Haname Katayama followed suit and defeated Iran’s Avishan Bagheri in the final of Female Kumite -55kg while Yuki Kujuro dominated the Female Kumite -61kg. Kanako Oryu also won gold, in Female Kumite -68kg, and in male kumite categories, Yusei Sakiyama prevailed in Male Kumite -75kg. The Male Team Kumite completed the outpour of gold medals for the Japanese delegation with a victory over Iran. 

Meanwhile, Turkey’s Eray Samdan became one of the stars of the tournament after taking his fourth gold medal this season. The promising karateka beat Saud Albasher of Saudi Arabia in Male Kumite -60kg and extended her successful year. In Female Kumite +68kg, Germany’s Rosa Marie Liebold surprised Tzu-Huan Wen of Chinese Taipei in the final as Saleh Abazari showcased the top level of Iranian representatives with a gold medal in Male Kumite +84kg. 

In Male Kumite -67kg, Italy’s Francesco Donofrio prevented one more gold for hosts with his victory over local karateka Soichiro Nakano in the final. Kamran Madani took the flag of the USA to the top of the podium in Male Kumite -84kg, and the French side prevailed in the Female Team Kumite competition. 

The 2018 edition of the FISU World University Karate Championships concluded in Kobe (Japan) with a celebration of young Karate and a showcase of the impact of the sport in young ages. 

(Pictures: Naomichi Matsushita / AKF)