Santiago 2019 / Gwendoline Philippe : “I went through all the states"
In Santiago de Chili (October 23-27), France’s Gwendoline Philippe won her 3rd World title in a row in the Youth categories. 5th in the Olympic ranking, she can now serenely and fully devote herself to her ultimate dream : the Olympics. In Santiago, in very special daily conditions, between riots and tear gas due to the demonstrations, the young Frenchwoman had to find deep resources to win her 3rd title.
By Florian Fournier
Photos: Kphotos
Santiago 2019 / Egypt without rivality
In Chile, the Egyptian team finished 1st nation with 19 medals. With 7 golds, its domination suffers no doubt. In Kata or in Kumite, they won a medal in each different category. Behind Egypt, Turkey (15 medals) and France (12 medals) completes the podium. In this very special context because of riots, some nations did not come to Santiago to participate at these Youth World championships. Japan, Switzerland and others stayed at home for security reasons. Forced to change the schedule, the WKF chose to organize a category with finals and medals at the end of the day. An interesting format that offers continuous entertainment.
By Florian Fournier
Photos : Kphotos
VIDEO – U21 Worlds / Mehdi Filali, born to win
He is the one who did a Jodan Mawashi to Mister Sajad Ganjzadeh ! Mehdi Filali (+84 kg), just 20 years old, already has 9 podiums in Karate 1 and has won all the world top fighters, but has only one win and it starts to tease him seriously. In Santiago de Chile, at the World Youth championships that start today (October 23-27). he wants to go straight to the point : win !
By Ludovic Mauchien
Photo : Kphotos
World Beach Games / Quintero and Sanchez, kings of sand
The competitions are consecutive but not similar, after the K1 in Russia, the karate kata athletes were in Doha for the first World beach games (october12-13), Sandra Sanchez and Damian Quintero won this competition.
By Florian Fournier / Photos : ANOC
Portrait + ITV video / Ugur Aktas, his job ? To be the Number 1 !
He is the n°1, that’s all. Whether in the World ranking or the Olympic standing, he is the boss. Ugur Aktas is one of the nuggets of the young golden generation of Turkish Karate. At only 23 years old, he is 3-time Seniors European champion (-84 kg), 3-time European champion and 2-time World medalist by team, and already has 9 wins in Karate 1, including 4 this year ! Impassioned by mathematics, mastered in engineering, Ugur Aktas is someone endearing, humble and jovial. He would like to face his idol of youth, Rafael Aghayev, to solve the most complicated mathematical equations, to master his doubts...
By Ludovic Mauchien
Photos : Kphotos
Video interview / Zabiollah Poorshab : “To practice martial arts needs a special mindset"
In this talented Iran team, he is the boss. Because he is the oldest with his 14 years of national team, because, above all, his character predestines him to be a leader. Charismatic, born fighter, karate artist, Zabiollah Poorshab (-84 kg) is one of those champions we like to see fight. At the same time technical and warlike, the running Asian champion and 2-times World bronze medalist, never admits defeat... Let’s meet him...
By Ludovic Mauchien
Photo : Kphotos
Page 7 of 11
