Hosts of Spain used the home ground factor in their favour to prevail at Karate 1- Series A tournament being held this weekend in Toledo. Local representatives took five golds to a total of 12 medals to top the final standings of the thrilling event celebrated in the central Spanish city. Rising karatekas also took the spotlight at the event with surprising victories.

Hosts of Spain used the home ground factor in their favour to prevail at Karate 1- Series A tournament being held this weekend in Toledo. Local representatives took five golds to a total of 12 medals to top the final standings of the thrilling event celebrated in the Spanish central city. Rising karatekas also took the spotlight at the event with surprising victories.

The path to gold which was started for hosts in the first day of competition by gold medallists Sandra Sanchez and Damian Quintero was extended in the last day of action with three more golds. Both the local Male and Female Kata teams took the Spanish flag to the top of the podium, thus completing a remarkable domination in the category of choreographed movements following wins in all four Kata competitions. Matias Gomez in Male Kumite -60kg wrapped up a golden day for organisers after beating Russia's Evgeny Plakhutin in the final in which the 2016 European champion from Spain produced a remarkable comeback (4-4) to win the bout by Senshu.

French representatives also registered a successful tournament after earning six medals and three golds. The all-French final of Female -50kg category was won by Sophia Bouderbane who defeated teammate Aurore Bourcois. France also took home gold in Male Kumite -75kg, with Logan Costa's victory over Iran's Bahman Asgari Ghoncheh in a rollercoaster of bout that ended with a tight 8-7 for the French ace. Jessie Da Costa completed the list of awards for France with a triumph in Male Kumite -84kg following his victory 4-1 over Greece's Georgios Tzanos.

NEW NAMES SHINE IN TOLEDO

The Karate 1- Series A represented the opportunity for newcomers to take their share of limelight at the first-class event. Saida Djedra of Algeria earned her first gold in major international competitions after dominating 4-2 England's Calra Burkitt in Female Kumite -55kg.

Also producing a remarkable performance in the final, Germany's Johanna Kneer reached the top of the podium for the first time in senior competitions following a convincing victory 6-0 over Croatia's Ivana Bebek in Female Kumite -68kg.

Meanwhile, in Female Kumite +68kg, current European Championships bronze medallist Ivanna Zaytseva of Russia demonstrated her progression with her victory 2-0 over Italy's Clio Ferracuti.

FAVOURITES ALSO MAKE THEIR MARK

While Karate 1-Series A in Toledo was a tournament determined by the surprising eliminations of some of the front-runners in top categories, other favorites took the opportunity to show their status and won gold in the Spanish city.

That was the case of World Champion Jordan Thomas, who prevailed in Male Kumite -67kg thus stating his top form over the Spanish tatami. In fact, the current World title holder convincingly defeated Kazakhstan's Assylbek Muratov by 9-1 in a showdown of top kumite action.

Presenting a remarkable overall performance throughout the event, Peru's Alexandra Grande used her experience to win gold in Female Kumite -61kg and earn her first gold international events in over a year.

Experience was also key in Male Kumite +84kg which saw former World champion Gogita Arkania of Georgia facing rising karateka Achraf Ouchen of Morocco. In a tight bout, the victory went to the hands of the 2014 World champion from Georgia.

ABOUT KARATE 1-SERIES A

The Karate 1-Series A complement the Karate 1-Premier League and give karatekas from all over the world the opportunity to get point thus increasing their ranking position in a series of thrilling and anticipated events that state the universality of high-level Karate tournaments. The Karate 1-Series A 2017 will stop in Toledo (Spain), Istanbul (Turkey), Salzburg (Austria) and Okinawa (Japan). 

(Photo credit: Royal Spanish Karate Federation)