Tokyo2021: Da Costa, Sanchez Jaime and Goranova Olympic champions!
He did it ! Reigning world champion, Frenchman Steven Da Costa became the 1st Olympic champion in history in Tokyo after beating Assadilov in the ½ final (5-2) and then Samdan in the final (5-0).
Thunderbolt in -55 kg where the young Bulgarian Ivet Goranova, Olympic No.27, 3rd at the Worlds in 2018, dominated Anzhelica Terliuga in the final.
The kata resulted in a superb final where the Spanish Sandra Sanchez, already World champion, won the gold at the expense of Japanese Shimizu. A 1st day where Karate was highlighted. That’s all for today. Tomorrow is another day.
By Ludovic Mauchien and Florian Fournier
Photos : Kphotos
Tokyo2021 / -55 kg : Goranova vs Plank, Terliuga vs Wen, Unexpected !
So many surprises in this category which adds -50 and -55 kg. In Pool A, the Turkish Ozcelik, Olympic No.1 and World No.1 in -50 kg, does not win a fight. Unlike the surprise guest, the young Bulgarian Ivet Goranova, Olympic No.27, who finished undefeated, ahead of Tzu-Yun Wen. In group B, if Anzhelica Terliuga ranked 1st despite 2 draws, the Austrian Bettina Plank was the 2nd surprise guest, ahead of Japanese Miyahara. Thus, the ½ finals oppose Goranova to Plank and Terliuga to Wen.
By Ludovic Mauchien
Photo : Kphotos
Antonio Diaz : « Like a child going to Disneyland. It’s just incredible »
How do they live their Olympic days ? What do they do ? Last episode today of the whatsapp interview, the Kata double World champion, Antonio Diaz of Venezuela, the oldest karateka of the Olympic Games (41). He is in Tokyo from the beginning since he was flag bearer during the opening ceremony. He was also one of the 30 candidates for the IOC athlete’s commission but didn’t get elected. But, still, he is enjoying the Tokyo games like a child…
By Ludovic Mauchien
Photo : DR
Tokyo Olympics : D-1 / For history !
Tomorrow is the big day. This is the start of the Karate events at the Tokyo Games. The Olympics, it’s 82 athletes, 8 categories, 34 medals. The program, the Games in numbers, the athletes... All the information to have a blast in front of the Karate Olympics. Let’s go for the show !
By Ludovic Mauchien
Photos : Kphotos
-67 kg : Assadilov - Da Costa in ½ final !
Surprised in his 2nd fight by Jordanian Almasatfa (loss 7-4), Steven Da Costa will face Olympic N)1 Kazakh Assadilov in the ½ final for a final before the hour. The other ½ final will oppose Jordanian Abdel Almasatfa, impressive in the qualification rounds (5 Ippons), and Turkish Eray Samdan. Let’s notice the forfeit of Italian Crescenzo due to injury. Analysis and highlights.
By Ludovic Mauchien
Photo : Kphotos
Tokyo2021 / Here are the Olympic draws !
Aghayev vs Busa, Da Costa vs Crescenzo, Assadilov vs Elsawy, Terliuga vs Miyahara, Ozcelik vs Wen, Coban vs Heurtault, Lotfy vs Prekovic, Aktas vs Horne, Zaretska vs Hocaoglu… All these fights are the last ones in the preliminary rounds. That means they may decide of the qualification for the ½ finals. We cannot wait ! Here are the entire draws of the Olympic Games.
By Ludovic Mauchien
Photos : Kphotos
