The city of Bielsko-Biala in Poland hosted the 16th edition of the Polish Open. Over 1700 competitors from 28 countries participated in the event thus showcasing the tremendous popularity of the sport in the region.
No less than ten tatamis were installed in Bielsko-Biala for another successful edition of the Polish Open. One of the most prestigious events in the EKF Calendar, the tournament gathered karate athletes from 28 countries and 240 clubs in the 102 categories at stake.
Ukraine topped the final medal table of the event followed by Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. In the Senior categories, the Ukrainian representatives claimed three gold medals: Olga Vasylenko in Female Kumite -50kg. Andrii Zaplitnyi in Male Kumite -75kg, and Valerii Sonnykh in Male Kumite -84kg.
Hosts of Poland also had reasons to celebrate in senior divisions with the titles in Female Kumite +68kg and Male Kumite +84kg going to Iga Butrym and Maciej Gebka respectively.
The Swiss delegation took home two golds in senior categories, by Maya Scharer in Female Kumite -55kg and Olympian Elena Quirici in Female Kumite -68kg.
The rest of the crowns in the top categories were claimed by Zuzana Agustinova of the Czech Republic in Female Kata, Lynn Snel of the Netherlands in Female Kumite -61kg, Thanh-Tung Nguyen of Hungary in Male Kata, Mad Christensen of Denmark in Male Kumite -60kg and Matej Homola of Slovakia in Male Kumite -67kg.
The Honorary patronage of the competition was held by the Mayor of Bielsko-Biala Jaros?aw Klimaszewski, the Minister of Sport and Tourism Kamil Bortniczuk and the President of the Polish Olympic Committee Andrzej Krasnicki. The event was organised by the Atemi Karate Club and was headed by the President of the Polish Karate Union Pawe? Poltorzecki.
(Image: Kamil Pastusiak, Source: www.wkf.net)
