Up-and-coming karatekas were the big winners of the 2022 Karate 1-Premier League Matosinhos on a day full of surprises. Yorgelis Salazar of Venezuela, Grand Winner Anzhelika Terliuga, and Ukraine’s Anita Serogina were among the stars of the tournament.
YORGELIS SALAZAR STARS IN BIG UPSET OF TOURNAMENT
The big upset of the tournament was produced by Yorgelis Salazar of Venezuela who claimed an outstanding victory over Grand Winner Serap Ozcelik Arapoglu of Turkey to take the crown in Female Kumite -50kg.
The current continental champion from Venezuela starred in a showcase of offensive karate and defeated one of the big names of the sport with an impressive “Ippon”, a “Waza-Ari” and a “Yuko” to win the final 6-0.
Anzhelika Terliuga of Ukraine claimed a tight victory in the final of Female Kumite -55kg to become one of the few favourites prevailing today. The Grand Winner of the category edged Tuba Yakan of Turkey by “Hantei” or decision as the match ended scoreless (0-0).
It is the first gold this year for the WKF World ranking leader of Ukraine who took silver at the opening event in Fujairah (UAE).
ANITA SEROGINA WINS SECOND GOLD FOR UKRAINE
It was an emotional day for the Ukrainian delegation. Anita Serogina won the second title of the day for the representatives of the distressed country as she beat Kazakhstan’s Assel Kanay in the final of Female Kumite -61kg.
Serogina won her second medal this year after taking silver in Fujairah; However, for the Olympian, this victory represented much more than just an accolade.
Olympians Steven Dacosta of France and Abdel Rahman Almasatfa of Jordan produced the highlight of the day in the final of Male Kumite -67kg. In a spectacular clash, Olympic champion Dacosta took the victory by “Hantei” or decision as the bout ended with a 5-5 tie after a demonstration of abilities of the two competitors.
The defending World, Olympic, and European champion from France achieved a tight victory in his first international appearance this year after overcoming an injury.
TWO GOLDS FOR JAPAN IN KATA
Japan’s Kiyou Shimizu demonstrated top form as she took her second gold medal in two Karate 1-Premier League events this year. The two-time World champion excelled in her presentation of “Chibana no Kusanku” kata and defeated Mo Sheung Grace Lau of Hong Kong in the final of Female Kata.
The title in Male Kata went also to Japan as Nishiyama Kakeru took gold after defeating Ali Sofuoglu of Turkey. The promising karateka from Japan also shined with “Chibana no Kusanku” Kata so to win his second gold medal in Karate 1-Premier League.
Source and image: www.wkf.net
