The 61st WKF European Championship has concluded in Frankfurt, Germany.
İdman.Biz reports, citing the press service of the Azerbaijan Karate Federation, that 586 karatekas from 50 countries competed in the competition held from May 20-24.
The European Championship was memorable for the Azerbaijani karatekas with its successes. Our female karateka, Madina Sadygova, won a gold medal in the 55 kg weight category, becoming the first female European champion of Azerbaijan among adults through the WKF organization.
Our other representative, Irina Zaretska, won a bronze medal in the 68 kg weight category.
Our athletes competing in para-karate - Vidadi Khaligov, Farrukh Gaybaliyev, and Aysel Ahmadli - became bronze medalists of the European Championship.
Our women's kumite team also won a bronze medal in team competitions, bringing another success to our country. The team included Madina Sadygova, Irina Zaretska, Gulay Orucova, and Aysu Aliyeva.
Although some members of the men's national team were one step away from the medal, they could not rise to the podium this time.
Azerbaijani karatekas finished 6th in Europe in the overall team standings, and this result is considered another indicator of the development of karate in the country on the international stage.
It is noted that within the framework of the championship, the President of the Azerbaijan Karate Federation, Ulvi Guliyev, met with the President of the World Karate Federation, Antonio Espinos. During the meeting, there was a broad exchange of views on the development of karate in Azerbaijan, opportunities for international cooperation, and future projects.
At the same time, a meeting was held with the world-famous Japanese karate master, ninth-dan black belt holder Shihan Kagawa, and experience and development prospects in the field of karate were discussed.