No less than 48 French karatekas will defend the honour of the host country in the upcoming Karate 1-Premier League in Paris. Among the numerous and powerful French representation competing in the inaugural event of the season, one up-and-coming karateka is set to take the French flag to its bright future: Steven Da Costa. 

No less than 48 French karatekas will defend the honour of the host country in the upcoming Karate 1-Premier League in Paris. Among the numerous and powerful French representation competing in the inaugural event of the season, one up-and-coming karateka is set to take the French flag to its bright future: Steven Da Costa. 

The athlete who is just about to turn 21-years-old heads the promising new generation of French athletes hoping to continue the triumphant tradition of one of the powerhouse nations of international Karate. In fact, France has claimed no less than 30 medals in the last three World Championships and took the second place in the overall standings in the 2016 World Championships in Linz.

Steven Da Costa has already enjoyed the joys of victory, as the French karateka has won 16 medals in 22 international appearances, including a silver medal in the U21 World Championships, a senior European title, and a bronze medal in the last edition of the Senior World Championships.   

“The level of French Karate is extremely high, and there is a lot of competence in all the categories. I must fight hard in all the competitions to keep my place because it is at stake in every tournament,” said Da Costa. 

Now, as the Karate 1-Premier League in Paris is only a few days away, excitement grows among French karatekas. Being one of the biggest Karate events of the year and one of the flagship tournaments in the quest to Tokyo 2020, local athletes are hoping to succeed in front of family and friends. 

“For me, it is not such a big issue (to have the support of the stands) since my family comes along to all my travels. Nonetheless, it is always nice to compete at home,” commented the French athlete who participates in Male Kumite -67kg category. 

KARATE SUCCESS RUNS IN THE FAMILY 

Steven Da Costa’s story is the account of an anticipated success. Son of famed coach Michel Da Costa, Steven is the younger of a family used to succeed in Karate. Older brother Logan won three gold medals in major international competitions last year in Male Kumite -75kg (Karate 1-Series A in Salzburg, Karate 1-Series A in Toledo and Karate 1-Premier League in Rotterdam), while twin brother Jessie is the current U21 World Championships runner-up in Male Kumite -84kg. 

With this baggage and family tradition under his belt, Steven Da Costa soon took the fast lane to the podium. In his first international appearance, at the World Cadet & Junior Championships in Malaysia, the Mont-Saint-Martin-born athlete won bronze in the Cadet competition. After that, Da Costa went to win gold four times in four events in the following three years. 

BIG GOALS AHEAD

“I train hard at the Olympic Karate Center in Chatenay Malabry. I work the physical, technical aspects, recovery and medical to be at my best,” declared the young athlete whose next goals are “to succeed at the European Championships, World Championships and in the long term, the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, “ he added. 

Not only genes or family tradition are behind Da Costa’s success. Hard work and dedication pave Da Costa’s way to glory. In fact, the 21-years-old competitor saw the reward to his enthusiasm last year, when the French ace won the gold medal in one of the biggest events of the season, The World Games. Da Costa, who has recently signed a sponsorship agreement with the national company of railways SNCF, presented an impressive demonstration of Karate abilities in his quest to the top of the podium, including two impressive ippon and a victory by ‘Hantei’ against world champion Jordan Thomas in the final. 

Now, Steven Da Costa feels that the time has come to shine at home. After three appearances in the big event in Paris, the French promising athlete has failed to reach the podium. ”I go to the Karate 1-Premier League in Paris to win, as in all competitions, even if it is my cursed tournament since I never made it to the podium. I hope I can make it this year!”, added the 21-years-old karateka.  

The Karate 1-Premier League in Paris begins on Friday, January 26th and it will finish on Sunday, 28th. The final day of competition will be available to a worldwide viewing audience on KarateWorld.TV and on many TV Networks around the world. 

For a full list of TV Networks and countries CLICK HERE and select your country to see where you can watch the Karate 1-Premier League in Paris. 

ABOUT KARATE WORLD TV CHANNNEL

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