Continental Championships

Spain top medal table of 2019 European Karate Championships

2019-03-31

Spain top medal table of 2019 European Karate Championships

The 2019 EKF Karate Championships concluded in Guadalajara (Spain) with Spain taking the top position of the medal table. The host nation succeeded in the last day of competition of the event that crowned the new heroes of European Karate. 

The 2019 EKF Karate Championships concluded in Guadalajara (Spain) with Spain taking the top position of the medal table. The host nation succeeded in the last day of competition of the event that crowned the new heroes of European Karate. 

Spain took their fourth gold medal at the event in a hard-fought final of Male Team Kata against Turkey. The Turkish side aimed to upset the defending champions at home but the Spanish side formed by Sergio Galan, Jose Manuel Carbonell and Francisco Jose Salazar excelled in their presentation of “Anan” kata. The local heroes took the continental title with a score of 26.96 for 26.88 of the Turkish squad. It is the third consecutive European gold medal for Spain in Male Team Kata. 

“We are really thrilled because it is the third time that we get the continental title. It was a very difficult final but we had the support from the stands. This is what helped us to take the title in the end,” said Francisco Jose Salazar who claimed his eleventh European medal. 

“We called for the sports hall to be fully crowded and they did not fail us. We said that if we got to win, everyone would win. The gold medal is for them,” added Sergio Galan. 

SPAIN SURPRISE IN FEMALE TEAM KATA 

The celebration of hosts today was complete since the hosts also took the title in Female Team Kata. Lidia Rodriguez, Raquel Roy and Marta Vega surprised favourites and current title-holders of Italy on a perfect day for the organising country. The Spanish team shined with their performance of “Paiku” kata and registered a score of 26.36 to defeat the Italian side in the quest to the continental crown (25.54 score for Italy). Spain recovered the title of Female Team Kata which they took for the last time in 2016. 

“We are really proud because all the hard work that we have been doing really paid off. We are really happy about getting this gold medal, even more when we could do it at home with the support from the stands,” said Lidia Rodriguez. 

“It was an amazing feeling when we heard them giving us the standing ovation after the ‘Bunkai’ and when we got the gold,” added Raquel Roy. 

TURKEY KEEP MALE TEAM KUMITE TITLE 

Turkey extended their domination of the Male Team Kumite competition as they claimed their third consecutive gold medal in the category. The Turkish side headed by Grand Winner and newly-proclaimed continental champion Ugur Aktas defeated Serbia by 3-0 in the final thus showcasing outstanding consistency to keep the European crown. 

“Our secret is that we are like brothers. We are more than friends, we are more than team-mates; we are family. We trust each other and when we came here, we knew that we had to do it together. We really believed in ourselves and this is why we took the gold medal again,” said Ugur Aktas who goes home with two titles in individual and team competitions. 

“I did the best that I could do. I won two gold medals here, and I am very happy about it. I want to continue taking golds in all the events,” added Aktas. 

The closing day of the event also saw the last of the Para-Karate athletes showcasing their remarkable abilities and their outstanding strength of the power of will.  The titles in Wheelchair user Male and Female went to the Spanish representatives thus continuing the successful day for hosts. Juan Antonio Sepulcre of Spain took gold in the Male category while Isabel Fernandez added the continental title to her World crown in Wheelchair user Female. 

The gold medals by Sandra Sanchez, Damian Quintero, Laura Palacio and the Male and Female Kata Teams, as well as the success in Para-Karate with five titles helped Spain to take the first position in the medal table thus confirming the major powerhouse status of the nation in Europe. Turkey with eleven medals including three golds and France with a total of nine medals and four golds also registered deserving performances at the memorable event.