The sixth stop of the 2018 Karate 1-Premier League starts in Berlin (Germany) in one week. As the countdown to the anticipated tournament intensifies, the best karatekas in the world are hoping to continue their success as Karate’s biggest international event. 

The sixth stop of the 2018 Karate 1-Premier League starts in Berlin (Germany) in one week. As the countdown to the anticipated tournament intensifies, the best karatekas in the world are hoping to continue their success as Karate’s biggest international event. 

Nearly 800 competitors from 72 countries are registered to participate in the second to last Karate 1-Premier League event of the season. The tournament starts on Friday, September 14th with the Female Kata category and the first Kumite categories. The competition is scheduled to finish on Sunday, September 16th with the medal bouts and awarding ceremony. The last day of the event will be broadcast to a number of TV Networks around the world and will be streamed LIVE on WKF’s online platform, karateworld.tv. 

CLICK HERE to access the list of TV networks broadcasting the Karate 1-Premier League Berlin. 

KARATEKAS GOING FOR TRIPLE CROWN

One of the biggest points of attention of the Karate 1-Premier League Berlin will be to find out if top karatekas can win the triple crown this year. For the time being, no competitor has been able to break the barrier of more than two gold medals this season. 

After five events, 12 athletes have won two top awards this year. Japanese karatekas are widely represented among the double gold medallists of the season with four representatives, including World champion Ryo Kiyuna, who succeeded in Istanbul and Paris, and current Grand Winner Ayumi Uekusa, who prevailed in Rotterdam and Dubai. Two of the most surprising competitors of 2018 Karate 1-Premier League, Ken Nishimura and Miyo Miyahara are also included in this list of successful competitors. While Nishimura shocked with victories in Rotterdam and Paris, Miyahara is dominating the Female Kumite -50kg category with triumphs in Rabat and Paris. 

In addition to Ayumi Uekusa, current Grand Winners also appear as front-runners in the quest for the triple crown. Sandra Sanchez of Spain and Xioayan Yin of China have both claimed two golds thus far. World ranking leader Sandra Sanchez prevailed in Rotterdam and Dubai and has taken medals in all her international appearances since November 2014. Meanwhile, fan favourite Xiaoyan Yin, who also leads the WKF World Ranking in Female Kumite -61kg prevailed in Dubai and Paris, and is spearheading the Chinese resurgence in major Karate events.  

RISING KARATE STARS 

The list of two-time gold medallists is completed with a combination of established stars and up-coming competitors. After bouncing back from an injury-filled season last year, superstar Rafael Aghayev of Azerbaijan is showing top form this time with two golds, in Rabat and Dubai. Italy’s Sara Cardin is also demonstrating her abilities with victories in Istanbul and Dubai, while Alizee Agier of France is extending her ample tally of awards with triumphs in Dubai and Paris. 

Among the young and promising karatekas reaching the elite of the sport this year, Eray Samdan of Turkey has dazzled so far with golds in Rotterdam and Dubai and a silver medal in Istanbul. 

At only 23-year-old Titta Keinanen of Finland is taking the category of Female Kumite +68kg by storm with triumphs in Istanbul and Rabat. 19-years-old Ahmed Elmasry, who will be absent in Berlin completes this line up of top-awarded karatekas.

Karate’s global impact is being showcased in this edition of Karate 1-Premier League; competitors from no less than 20 different countries have reached the top of the podium in the five events celebrated thus far. By countries, Japan head the standing of gold medallists with 13 top awards, followed by Turkey with 11 golds and France with eight gold medals.