Rising stars succeed in Karate 1 Premier League Matosinhos

2022-04-24

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.

Yorgelis Salazar said:

“I lost the two finals of Karate 1-Series A that I had against Serap; I used to think that it would be impossible for me to win a gold medal. But I have worked hard, and I continued improving and improving, and I told myself that I could become one of the best fighters here. Today I won my first gold in Karate 1-Premier League and I am extremely happy. I am glad to take the flag of my country to the top and to show the world that Venezuela has another representative at the highest level”.

GRAND WINNER ANZHELIKA TERLIUGA SHOWS STRENGHT OF SPIRIT

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.

Anita Serogina said:

“This victory may seem like a small victory, but it is very big for all of us here. It is important for my country because each one of our victories on the tatami contributes somehow to helping us in our difficult situation. Today we showed people the high level of Ukrainian karate. We want to continue taking more medals.”

THRILLING CLASH OF TITANS IN MALE KUMITE -67KG

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.

CHRISTOS-STEFANOS XENOS SURPRISES GRAND WINNER ANGELO CRESCENZO

The final of Male Kumite -60kg ended with a big upset as Christos-Stefanos Xenos of Greece beat Grand Winner Angelo Crescenzo of Italy.

It was the first Karate 1-Premier League final for Xenos who used two “Yuko” or one-point technique to win the title 2-0.

SILVIA SEMERARO WINS GOLD IN CLASH OF OLYMPIANS

Karate’s Olympians were also represented in the final of Female Kumite -68kg as Silvia Semeraro of Italy and Irina Zaretska of Azerbaijan clashed in one of the most anticipated finals of the day.

In a very technical fight, Semeraro came back from her defeat in the final of Fujairah with a triumph by “Hantei” or decision (0-0).

NEWCOMERS SUCCEED IN MATOSINHOS

The Karate 1-Premier League Matosinhos put the spotlight on up-and-coming karatekas who reached the top of the podium today.

In Male Kumite -84kg, Brian Timmermans of the Netherlands won his first medal in Karate 1-Premier League after defeating Italy’s Michele Martina 2-1.

Also a first-timer gold medallist, Babacar Seck Sakho of Spain claimed his first title of Karate 1-Premier League following a tight 3-1 victory over Rob Timmermans of Curacao in the final of Male Kumite +84kg.

The victory of Danielle De Vivo of Italy over Farid Aghayev of Azerbaijan in the clash of newcomers of the final of Male Kumite -75kg (1-0) completed the list of gold medallists today.

The season of Karate 1-Premier League travels now to Rabat (Morocco) where the third event of the year is scheduled for May 13 to 15.

CLICK HERE to go to all the info on the Karate 1-Premier League Matosinhos.

Kaynak:https://www.wkf.net/news-center-new/rising-stars-succeed-in-karate-1-premier-league-matosinhos/1904

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— World Karate Federation 🥋 (@worldkarate_wkf) April 24, 2022