3 months after the World Championships in Dubai, the world’s best karatekas meet in Fujairah (United Arab Emirates) for the 1st K1 Premier League of the post-Olympic era (February 18-20).
From now on, the Karate 1’s will only be open first to the world’s top 32 before expanding registrations if some are absent. And it will be organized with round robin.
The top athletes engaged in Fujairah (Uekusa, Horuna…), the notable absents (Aghayev, France, Busa…), the new regulations, the program, the 2022 calendar… All about Karate 1.
By Florian Fournier
Photo : WKF
Fujairah is the oil port of Dubai, 1 hour away through the desert. It is one of the 7 United Arab Emirates which would like a destiny other than living in the shadow of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. For ten years, the emirate of Fujairah has multiplied sporting events, especially combat sports. It regularly hosts a Taekwondo Grand Prix. This year, it is Karate’s turn to show up at the Zayed Sports Complex for the beginning of a new era. The K1 gets a makeover. And what about the competitors ?
THE 2022 COMPETITORS
He was announced present in Fujairah, which was surprising ! He is finally not there. Logic when you know that Rafael Aghayev, 37 years old on March 4, just signed with Karate Combat and should face the Hungarian Zsolt Habda in the spring for Season 4.
In terms of absences, the list is quite substantial. Apart from the French team, whose participation in K1 no longer fits into its plans, Sanchez Jaime, Bottaro, Miyahara, Prekovic, Hocaoglu, Abbasali, Quintero, Kiyuna, Brose, Busa, Otabolaev, Aktas and Arkania (…) will miss the call.
Also note, for this 1st K1 of the year, the comeback of Kiyou Shimizu and Ayumi Uekusa, absent at the Worlds last November. A final season to digest the failure of the Olympics ?
THE NEW RULES
From now on, the preliminary round will be done in round robin, with 8 pools of 4 competitors, thus guaranteeing 3 fights for each athlete. The 1st of each pool qualifies for the ¼ finals.
But time for repechages is over. From now on, the losing ½ finalists will compete for a single bronze medal.
In terms of bonuses, the winner wins €1,000 in prize money, the finalist €500 and the 3rd will receive €250. To spice up the circuit, a bonus of €5,000 awaits the Grand winner, the one who will finish at the top of the ranking after K1 Moscow at the beginning of October.
2022 CALENDAR
Premier League
K1 Fujairah (EAU) : February 18-20
K1 Porto (Portugal) : April 22-24
K1 Rabat (Morocco) : May 13-15
K1 Bakou (Azerbaijan) : September 2-4
K1 Moscou (Russia) : October 7-9
Series A
K1 Pampelune (Spain) : January 28-30
K1 Le Caire (Egypt) : June 10-12
K1 Temuco (Chili) : September 23-25
K1 City TBD (China) : November 11-13
Program of K1 Fujairah
Friday 18 et saturday 19
9 h – 20h30 (In local time) : round robin in 8 pools of 4
Sunday 20
10h – 14h : bronze medal matchs
15h30 – 18h30 : Finals
Follow on the competition on : https://www.youtube.com/user/WKFKarateWorldChamps and Karate-K.com
