By Daniel Etchells

The latest event in the WKF Karate1 Premier League Series was dominated by hosts Egypt ©WKFEgypt marked its first-ever staging of a World Karate Federation (WKF) Karate1 Premier League event by claiming six gold medals in Sharm-El Sheikh.


The host's overall medal tally of 23, including four silvers and 13 bronzes, saw them finish ahead of Turkey, with five golds, three silvers and four bronzes, followed by United Arab Emirates, with one gold and two silvers.

On the women's side, Lofty Giana came out on top in the under 61 kilogram kumite, while the trio of Abdelaziz Randa, Roshdy Shaimaa and Salama Mai Gamaleldin prevailed in the team kata.

As for the men, there were victories for Sayed Mohamed Hamdy in the individual kata, as well as Adel Ahmed Mohamed Abdelrahman, Mahmoud Hussein Sabri Adham and Mansour Ossama in the under 67kg, under 84kg and the over 84kg kumite divisions respectively.

The tournament attracted 460 athletes from 37 countries, with several national delegations looking to complete their preparations for this month's European Senior Championships in Istanbul and Pan American Senior Championships in Toronto.

Looking further ahead, Egypt, one of the leading nations at the last World Senior Championships, will have one eye on the All-Africa Games, due to be hosted by in Republic of Congo in September.

Egypt's Mansour Ossama (right) won the men's over 84kg kumite ©Getty ImagesEgypt's Mansour Ossama (right) won the men's over 84kg kumite ©Getty Images



Four of Turkey's gold medals came in the women's kumite events with Ozcelik Serap taking the under 50kg, Yakan Tuba securing the under 55kg, Burucu Hafsa Seyda claiming the under 68kg, and Hocaoglu Meltem collecting the over 68kg title.

Kaya Aykut's success in the men's under 60kg completed a quintet of triumphs for the Turkish, while the UAE's sole gold medal came through Sanchez Jaime Sandra in the individual kata.

Italy also found their way to the top of the podium, winning the under 75kg male kumite through Busa Luigi, as did France, succeeding in the male team kata through Jeannot Lucas, Montarello Enzo and Zemouri Ahmed.

The next event in the WKF Karate1 Premier League, one of the most prestigious Series in karate, is scheduled to take place in São Paulo, Brazil, on May 30 and 31.

After a short break, the Series moves to Istanbul on September 5 and 6, followed by Hanua, Germany, from September 26 and 27, Salzburg, Austria, from October 17 and 18, before climaxing in Okinawa, Japan,on November 28 and 29.

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