The World championships are like his home. In Madrid (November 6-11), he will play his... 12th Worlds! The first one was in 1998, just 20 years ago. At the time, he was not one of the favorites for the podium. In 2018, he is still and again. And for some good reasons… 

In Spain, Antonio Diaz will try to win his ... 9th medal in a row ! World champion in 2010 and 2012, 3rd in 2014 and 2016, the Venezuelan technician is ready. He talks about his training in Japan with Abe and Usami, analyzes the Kata evolution and affirms it : these Worlds are his last ones !...

By Florian Fournier / Photos : Kphoto

How was your preparation ?

I have tried to do the best preparation possible for this World championships. It hasn’t been easy because one of the main things was to participate in more competitions. Also, I have been trying to incorporate new strategies and paying more attention to balance the technical with the physical trainings.

Are you satisfied with your performances in Berlin, Santiago and Tokyo ?

I think these first competitions have been hard. I tried my best but I’m not totally satisfied with the results and my performances, although I have managed to get some important points. I think I need to make some improvements. The qualification period for the Olympics is long and hard so my goal is to improve at every tournament and be consistent with my performance.

You stayed in Tokyo after the Premier League. Tell us about it…

I stayed in Japan one and a half week and I had the chance to visit Inoue Senseï’s grave. I also trained at Inoue-ha Hombu dojo with Senseï Okamura and Rika Usami. After that, I visited Senseï Yukimitsu Hasegawa, who was many times team kata World champion. We competed together a few times in the Paris Open.

And then, I also did some trainings with Ryoki Abe, the 2018 World champion. This was a nice experience because, after my Senseï died in 2015, I needed some help for my technical trainings. So, this was a first approach for more visits to Japan next year.

What do you expect from these World championships ? A success ? Take as many points as possible for the Olympic qualification ?

This World championship is very important for me, not just because is the one counting for the Olympic qualification, but also because it is my last one. Madrid included, I will have competed in 12 editions, ranking 8^th place in 1998, 5^th in 2000 and then winning 8 medals in a row (3^rd in 2002, 2004 and 2006, 2^nd in 2008, 1^st in 2010 and 2012, 3^rd in 2014 and 2016).

So, my expectations for this one is, of course, to be one more time on the podium but, the main thing will be to enjoy as much as possible this tournament.

How do you find the international Kata level today ? Is it stronger than before ? More physical and less technical ?

The level of the competitors is rising. The fact that Karate is now an Olympic sport makes that some countries invest more in the preparation of their athletes. In kata now, we have many good japanese athletes in the Premier League events. Physical is taking a lot of weight in the evaluation, especially the speed.

The competition has changed a lot. Now, it is very hard to be on top condition all year long. We have like 10 tournaments a year? Moreover, all athletes try to advance as many rounds as possible and they play their best kata right away. Even if you are in the top 8 of the ranking, you have competitors challenging you every round, so the strategy is very important.