Lissabon: SKF Karatekas schreiben Sportgeschichte. Erstmals stehen an einem K1 Premier League Turnier (letztes K1 Turnier zur direkten Olympia-Qualifikation) eine Kumite-Kämpferin und ein Kata-Athlet im Finale. Elena Quirici in der Kat. -68kg und Yuki Ujihara in der Kata. Dazu Luca Spitz im Kampf um Bronze -60 kg.
Er sicherte sich seinen Bronzekampf mit Siegen über Lee Chun Ho (Hongkong), Luciano Carmine (Italien), Kiss Andras Laszlo (Ungarn) und Filipov Nikita (Ukraine). Er trifft auf die Welt-Nr. 1 Darkhan Assadilov (Kasachstan)
Elena Quirici erreichte den Endkampf mit Siegen gegen Katrine Pedersen (Dänemark), Kiti Smiljan (Slowenien), Alizee Agier (Frankreich) und Feryal Abdelaziz (Ägypten). Im Finale trifft Quirici auf Gong Li (China, K1 Premier League Siegerin Salzburg/Dubai 2020). Im letzten Aufeinandertreffen in Dubai 2020 endete der Kampf 0:0 und Gong Li bekam den Zuschlag. Quirici schlug dann Alisa Buchinger (Österreich) und wurde Dritte.
WKF: OLYMPICS ON THE LINE IN FINAL OF FEMALE KUMITE -68KG
Two karatekas in the race to qualify for the Olympic Games will clash for gold in Female Kumite -68kg. Elena Quirici of Switzerland faces Li Gong of China for a spot in the Olympics. While Quirici currently takes third place in the Olympic standings, Li Gong is fourth, at only 112 points of difference. The result of the final will most likely determine the karateka taking the Olympic qualification by standings from the category of -68kg.
In the semi-finals, Elena Quirici made it to the title-deciding bout after beating Feryal Abdelaziz of Egypt by “Hantei” or decision (1-1). Meanwhile, Li Gong claimed a convincing victory over Halyna Melnyk of Ukraine (5-0).
“This is a very special competition for all of us. It is a beautiful event. I hope to win tomorrow and bring a gold medal for Switzerland,” said Elena Quirici.
Zeitplan, 2. Mai:
Luca Spitz, 09:55
Yuki Ujihara, 15:15
Elena Quirici, 16.40
Yuki Ujihara setzt sich in drei Runden gegen seine Kontrahenten durch. Im Halbfinale siegte er mit 25.98 Punkten. Er trifft im Finale auf Enes Ozdemir (Türkei, 3. Rang K1 Istanbul 2021, U21 Weltmeister 2017, U21 Europameister 2019/20).
WKF: MAJOR UPSETS IN MALE KATA
Promising karatekas took over the competition in Male Kata as two up-and-coming athletes produced the biggest upset of the event thus far. Enes Ozdemir of Turkey and Yuki Ujihara ofSwitzerland were the surprising finalists of the category as they stunned the top favourites.
Ozdemir dominated his pool with a score of 26.66 points with his “Kanku Sho” kata while Ujihara topped the pool with a score of 25.98 points and “Papuren” kata. Only 0.04 points separated Ujihara from the second-placed and big favourite competitor Ali Sofuoglu of Turkey.
“It is the first time that I will compete for the medals at the Karate 1-Premier League stage. I still can’t believe it! I will do my best tomorrow and I am very grateful to my family, my coach, my sensei in Japan and those who have helped me so much,” said Yuki Ujihara who has a Japanese background.
