They are World n°1, Olympic n°1 and already qualified for Tokyo. Ryo Kiyuna (Kata) and Ugur Aktas (-84 kg, +75 kg) were again medalists at the Open Paris Karate.

The Okinawa Kata man, unbeaten for 2 years, talks about his desire to make Ryuei Ryu known, his choice of Anan in the final, of Michael Milon... Ugur Aktas of his thirst for success...

By Ludovic Mauchien / Photo: Kphotos

Ryo Kiyuna

« Until the Games, I’ll keep practicing the Ryuei ryu Kihon »

Ryo Kiyuna, it’s 27 gold medals in 28 tournaments over 6 years. It's once 3 years and once 2 years of invincibility, series in progress since the K1 of Dubai in February 2018 (beaten by Quintero in the final). In short, there is him and the others. Even before the Tokyo Olympics, where the gold medal is reaching out, he is already an MVP of the Kata history. The student of Sakumoto sensei in Okinawa, himself a 3-times World champion in the 80’s, is the undisputed n°1.

Ugur Aktas

« I will fix my mistakes fro Dubaï »

The 2017 and 2019 European champion is incredibly consistent. Only 2 podiums in the last 13 competitions have escaped him. Winner in Madrid, finalist in Santiago, he won bronze in Paris. Some precious points for the draw at the Tokyo Olympics (August 6-8). Qualified or not, the Turkish fighter only swears by victory.