The Karate 1-Youth League event being held this weekend in Monterrey (Mexico) finished with young athletes from Japan and Spain topping the medal table of the tournament. The competition that gathered promising karatekas from all over the world demonstrated the strength of Karate at young ages. 

The Karate 1-Youth League event being held in Monterrey (Mexico) this weekend finished with young athletes from Japan and Spain topping the medal table of the tournament. The competition that gathered promising karatekas from all over the world demonstrated the strength of Karate at young ages. 

The delegations of Japan and Spain succeeded at the third stop of Karate’s biggest series of international events for youngsters. Japanese and Spanish young athletes finished the event with five gold medals respectively. Scotland, Guatemala and Peru also had deserving performances with three gold medals respectively. No less than 13 countries reached the top of the podium at the event. 

The representatives from the birth nation of the sport prevailed in kata categories since Miko Fukuoka and Koha Onari won gold in Cadet Female and Male Kata, and Hana Muramatsu dominated the competition in U14 Female Kata. Ayana Kamide in Cadet Female Kumite -47kg and Sena Kondo in Cadet Male Kumite -63kg completed the gold medallists for Japan. 

The crowns for Spain came in Junior categories. Oscar Garcia Cuadrado prevailed in Junior Male Kata while Marta Cortes and Sonia Pereira won gold in Junior Kumite -48kg and -53kg respectively. Joan Just Clopes took the title in Junior Male Kumite -76kg, and Matt Shannon Rombeaux won the fifth title for Spain in U14 Male Kumite -40kg. 

Local fans of the sport also had reasons to celebrate since karatekas from the host country won two gold medals at home. Angel Sanchez prevailed in Cadet Male Kumite -52kg and Lizette Valentin took the flag of the organising nation to the top of the podium in U14 Female Kumite +47kg. 

The Karate 1-Youth League travels now to Venice-Jesolo (Italy) where the last event of the season will be held from December 13 to 15. 

CLICK HERE to go to all the info of the Karate 1-Youth League Monterrey including results and list of medallists.