Yashar Bashirov : « We are evolving step by step »
Azerbaijan is 9.8 million inhabitants, 14,000 Karate practitioners, 70 clubs and is the country of Rafael Aghayev, the five world titles’ man. It also represents 13 medals at the Worlds and 32 at the European championships.
Baku, its capital, hosted last weekend its 9th International Open, thought to become a Karate 1 in the future. The head construction manager is Yashar Bashirov, the president of the Karate National Federation, in office since 2002.
By Ludovic Mauchien
Pictures: Sanan Maharramov / NKF
Lucie Ignace : « For me, the French team, it’s over »
It’s a blow that has just fallen... Lucie Ignace, it’s over ! The French champion thinks she suffers an injustice. Not selected for the individual (-61 kg) at the Madrid World championships (November 6th-11th), she decided to abandon her Olympic dream and leave the French national team right away. She took a plane, direction : Reunion Island, her homeland. A heat of passion ? It doesn’t seem so. World champion in 2012, running silver World medalist, three-times European champion, the Reunion girl has choosen to bow out at only 25. She returns home, her head full of projects and the heart a bit... released ! She tells us about it.
By Ludovic Mauchien
Photos : KPhotos
SérieA Santiago / Ozcelik and Terliuga once again
After the K1 Berlin last week (September 14-16), the karatekas met in Santiago, Chile, for the series A (September 21-23). This competition, a notch below the K1, allows to score less points for the Olympic race, but offers a chance for the karatekas ranked out of the top 100 to climb the ladder. However, the headliners were at the rendezvous.
By Florian Fournier / Photo : KPhotos
University Worlds / Japan is the best student
14 medals including 10 golds ! Japan brilliantly completed the World university championships that took place in Kobe from July 19th to 22nd. Iran finishes 2nd nation with 11 medals including 1 gold, France ranks 3rd nation with 8 medals.
By Florian Fournier
Photos : K-Photos
Series A Santiago / Shohei Toyama : « Brose, Mehdizadeh and Saymatov are on top »
The Olympic dream awakens ambitions. Stopped last year by injury, he is now 80th in the world ranking and lost his place in the Japan national team. Shohei Toyama did not give up the idea to participe to the Tokyo Olympics. At 26, this young instructor of the Japan Karate Shotorenmei (JKS) hopes to be back to his highest level this season. First mission : the Series A in Santiago, Chile (September 22nd-23rd).
By Florian Fournier / Traduction: Hannah Johnston / Photo : D.R
University Worlds / 4 finals for Japan , 2 for France and Iran
Two finals for Iran and France, four for Japan. Like yesterday, Japan took the lead on the second day of the World University championships held in Kobe (Japan). France, with five new possibilities of medal on Sunday, is the only country in the world, with Iran, to keep up with the fast pace of the Japanese team.
By Florian Fournier
Photos : K-Photos
