Over the weekend, a number of Karate Canada members were in Shanghai for the Shanghai Series A K-1 competition, which was held from December 7^th-9^th. Canada was represented by 10 athletes, National Team Senior Kumite Head Coach Nassim Varasteh, and Mr. Andreas Kuntze of BC, who attended as an official.  A total of over 1158 athletes from 80 countries competed in this event. This weekend event saw the first-ever gold medal earned by a Canadian at a World Karate Federation K1 event.

In women’s kumite, Haya Jumaa (-61kg), of Ontario, won her first five matches leading up to the finals against Cristina Ferrer Garcia of Spain. Jumaa won the final match by decision, defeating her Spanish opponent to take the gold medal.

“This remarkable achievement further confirms Haya’s steady climb in the world rankings, over the last couple of years, and offers further evidence of her medal potential for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games” says Olivier Pineau, Karate Canada’s Executive Director. “With recently enhanced excellence support generously provided by Sport Canada (following a positive recommendation from Own The Podium), we’ve been able to better support the Olympic preparation of our top medal prospects for these Games, and it’s clearly starting to pay dividends. This is very encouraging and exciting, as the sport of karate is about to make its official debut at these Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.”

Also in women’s kumite, Valentyna Zolotarova (British Columbia) placed seventh in the -55kg category after winning two matches in repechage.

The World Karate Federation’s Series A K-1 tournaments are important preparation events on the road to the next summer Olympic Games, taking place in Tokyo 2020.

Photo: Xavier Servolle