The last Karate 1-Series A of the season started in Shanghai (China) with the medallists of the World Championships showing top form. Karatekas who succeeded in the memorable tournament of Madrid continued taking the spotlight after claiming spots in the final of the tournament in Shanghai. 

The last Karate 1-Series A of the season started in Shanghai (China) with the medallists of the World Championships showing top form. Karatekas who succeeded in the memorable tournament of Madrid continued taking the spotlight after claiming their places in the final of the tournament in Shanghai. 

Sandra Sanchez of Spain became the queen of the 2018 World Championships with her memorable victory in Female Kata. Barely a month after her showdown at home in Madrid, the current World title-holder celebrated her domination of the category with a forceful qualification to the final of the event in China. The 37-year-old karateka secured her 37th consecutive medal in international competitions after defeating Japan’s Emiri Iwamoto by unanimous decision (5-0) in semi-finals. 

The other spot in the final of Female Kata will be taken by World Championships bronze medallist Viviana Bottaro of Italy. Following her deserving performance in Madrid, the Italian Kata ace reached her third final this year after beating France’s Sandy Scordo in semi-finals (5-0). 

The final of Male Kata will also have representation of Spanish karatekas since Damian Quintero topped his outstanding season with his tenth medal this year. The current World Championships runner-up celebrated his silver medal in Madrid with a qualification to the last bout of the tournament in Male Kata. Quintero beat Japan’s Issei Shimbaba by 4-1 and will face Indonesia’s Zigi Ahmad Zaresta in the final. The promising karateka from Indonesia surprised with his qualification to the title-deciding bout. The Indonesian representative defeated Japan’s Chikashi Hayashida by split decision (3-2) in semi-finals and will clash for his first gold of the season. 

World Championships medallists also left their mark in Male Kumite -67kg since Vinicius Figueira of Brazil qualified for the final after his silver medal in Madrid. The current World Championships runner-up defeated Iran’s Alireza Shirsefat in semi-finals 4-1 and will clash for his second gold this year. His rival in the final will be Egypt’s Aly Ismail who beat Japan’s Soichiro Nakano in semi-finals 5-2. It will be the first final in major international competitions for the young Egyptian karateka. 

The rest of the categories at stake today will see a confrontation between experienced karatekas clashing for gold against newcomers. In Female Kumite -50kg, the current World Championships bronze medallist of the category Bettina Plank of Austria extended her success with another medal this year. The European Championships runner-up upset France’s Sophia Bouderbane in semi-finals 1-0 to reach her second final of the season. 

On the other side of the tatami, Bettina Plank will meet Turkey’s Gulsen Demirturk. The promising Turkish karateka surprised and made it to his first final in senior competitions after defeating Kazakhstan’s Moldir Zhangbyrbay in semi-finals 2-1. 

The experience in the final of Female Kumite –55kg will be provided by Brazil`s Valeria Kumizaki. The Brazilian ace beat Japan’s Tamaki Yoshiyasu in semi-finals 4-1 and will clash for gold against Japan’s Fumika Ishiai. The promising Japanese karateka upset Tzu-Yun Wen of Chinese Taipei to make it to the final of the tournament. 

The competition continues on Saturday with the rest of the categories at stake. The Karate 1-Series A Shanghai is the closing event of the season of this top series of international tournaments.