Italy’s Viviana Bottaro is on track to become the big star of the 2017 Karate European Championships. The Italian fan favourite confirmed on Friday her outstanding influence in kata categories by earning the ticket to her second final in the tournament being held in Kocaeli (Turkey). 

Italy’s Viviana Bottaro is on track to become the big star of the 2017 Karate European Championships. The Italian fan favourite confirmed on Friday her outstanding influence in kata categories by earning the ticket to her second final in the tournament being held in Kocaeli (Turkey). 

With four gold medals in all four Karate 1-Premier League tournaments this season, Viviana Bottaro is demonstrating an exceptional level in the series of international Karate events. Now, the 29 year-old Shotokan practitioner has managed to continue her victorious path in the European Championships. In the first day of competition, the bronze medallist at the 2016 World Championships qualified for the final of Individual Kata after defeating FYR of Macedonia’s Puleksenija Jovanoska, Germany’s Jasmin Bleul and defending silver medallist Sandy Scordo of France, all of them by unanimous decision. 

Bottaro was able to extend her winning streak to the Kata Team competition. Headed by the Italian 12-time continental medallist and completed by Sara Battaglia and Michela Pezzeti, the Italian side beat Portugal and defending champions of Spain to reach the title-deciding bout. While France will try to prevent Bottaro's success in Female Team competition, the italian Kata ace is now hoping to take the Italian flag to the top of the podium twice in this tournament. 

The Italian Male Kata team followed the triumphant path and also qualified for the final. After beating Montenegro in split decision, the side formed by Mattia Busato, Alessandro Iodice and Alfredo Tocco will try to make an “azzurri” celebration in team kata at Kocaeli. On the other side of the tatami, Italy will face current silver medallists of Spain. The Iberian side formed by Jose Manuel Carbonell, Sergio Galan and Francisco Jose Salazar defeated Russia to extend their presence in the title-deciding day of competition. 

Karate powerhouses make an impact in Team Kumite competition

French and Turkish delegations gave more reasons to celebrate to their fans by placing their representatives in the final of Male Team Kumite. Defending champions of France maintained their great level in the category and qualified to fight for a new continental crown after defeating Croatia 2-3 in a disputed clash which was solved in a tight last bout. 

Meanwhile, Turkey increased, even more, their impressive tally of medals in these championships by earning their seventh spot in the finals of the competition. The Turkish Male Kumite Team defeated Germany and will clash to improve the silver medal achieved last year. 

Turkish celebration continued in the Female Kumite Team competition. Headed by Karate Star Serap Ozcelik, the Turkish side made it to yet another final after defeating Germany. The local heroines will face Ukraine in the final. The Ukrainian side surprised and beat current World champions of France in the preliminary round and confirmed their ticket to the final following their victory over Slovenia in semi-finals. 

The quest for gold at the 2017 Karate European Championships will reach its highlight moments on Saturday when the first finals will take place. 

Click here for more information on the EKF European Championships. 

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