Iran Crowned Champion of Karate 1-Series A
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian karatekas topped the medal table of the second Karate 1-Series A event of the season in Istanbul, Turkey on Sunday.
Hamideh Abbasli and Bahman Asgari Ghoncheh from Iran, Turkey’s Serap Ozcelik and Eray Samdan, and Sandra Sanchez of Spain were among the big names of the tournament.
After claiming no less than six titles, Iranian representatives showcased an excellent level in Istanbul, according to wkf.net.
Travat Khaksar won a gold medal for Iran in Female Kumite -55kg with a convincing 5-2 victory over Tzu-Yun Wen of Chinese Taipei in the final.
Hamideh Abbasli confirmed her favorite status in Female Kumite +68kg with a 1-0 triumph over Japan’s Ayaka Saito in the final to take her first gold this year.
The third gold for Iranian representatives came in Male Kumite -75kg. Bahman Asgari Ghoncheh used his world champion status to claim an impressive 6-1 victory over Luigi Busa of Italy in the final.
Meanwhile, Mahdi Ghararizadeh Mahani won another gold for Iran and produced one of the biggest upsets of the day after defeating local hero Ugur Aktas in the final of Male Kumite -84kg. Turkey’s fan favorite Aktas had the support from the stands but the promising Iranian karateka took his first-ever gold medal in international competitions with a 1-0 victory in the final.
Saleh Abazari in Male Kumite +84kg and the Iranian Female Kata team completed the gold medal count for the Iranian delegation.
Ali Meskini in Male Kumite -60kg, Mahdi Khodabakhshi in Male Kumite -84kg and Iran Male Kata team also won three bronze medals in the competition.
Over 1,800 karatekas from 101 countries took part in the competition in Istanbul.