This year, the « Open de Paris » will be more open than ever. Unlike men with Kiyuna, who seems unbeatable, his compatriot Shimizu was defeated last October, which gives some hope to her opponents. And it offers us a great competition on the last week end of January.
By Fournier Florian
Photo : K-Photos
Undefeated since she has started competing in the world circuit in 2014, the two-time World champion, Kiyou Shimizu, conceded her first loss at the Salzburg serie A last October. However, she immediately reacted by winning the Okinawa Serie A. And she will try to win her 2nd Paris Open after 2016.
But her fellow countrywoman Iwamoto and the World N°1, Sanchez from Spain, will do everything to dislodge the Queen from her throne. Beaten 3-2 by Shimizu in Okinawa, Sandra Sanchez announces herself as the main threat for the Japanese.
Fourth favorite of this competition, Sandy Scordo is an enigma. The double vice-world champion and multiple European medalist lived in the US for several months and has not participated to a competition since the last European Championships in May 2017. If we saw her getting physically prepared via her social networks, the lack of pace and reference in competition could handicap her. But her experience allows her to aim a podium.
The outsiders
The sensation of the Salzburg Serie A, Grace Lau from Hong-Kong, could surprise everybody again and win for the first time the world-famous Paris competition. Winner of Shimizu last October, she is the one who gave hope to the world. This performance gave her a new status, an additional pressure that she will have to manage to make a new sensation.
More accustomed to being in the light and watched by all, the Egyptian Sayed, vice-world champion, the Italian Bottaro, n°3 of the WKF ranking or the American Kokumaï hope to grab the podium.
Lidia Rodriguez and Dilara Eltemur, respectively U21 World Champion and Vice-World Champion have also to be will be carefully watched. These two women could represent the future of the female World kata.
Our wink : Jessica “the miraculous” Hugues
Great hope for the future of French karate, Jessica Hugues was promised for a high-ranking career. But a serious injury occurred during a bunkai performed in a county championship cost her several years away from the mats.
She came back in Paris last year. Since, she has reintegrated the naitonal French team. If a podium appears to be difficult to aim, each fight she won will allow her to keep going on more quickly in her new career.
