Spain topped the medal table of the Karate competition at the 2023 Mediterranean Beach Games being held in Heraklion (Greece). The two gold medals of the Karate Kata event at the Karteros Beach Sports Centre were claimed by the Iberian powerhouse nation of the sport.
Over 40 competitors from 13 Mediterranean countries participated in the Karate Kata competition. The crown in Female Kata went to Spain’s Paola Garcia Lozano. The Spanish karateka, who is the current Senior and Junior continental champion and European Games gold medallist, defeated Italy’s Orsola D’Onofrio in the final, with scores of 25.90 to 24.80.
Morocco’s Sanae Agalman and Greece’s Georgia Archontia Xenou completed the podium in Female Kata.
The Male Kata event concluded with a major upset as promising karateka Raul Martin Romero from Spain took the gold medal. A two-time U21 continental championships medallist, Martin Romero won his first title in senior competitions following a convincing victory over Morocco’s Salah Eddine El Mansoury, with scores of 25.20 to 24.40.
Olympian and big favourite Damian Quintero of Spain and Italy’s Guido Polsinelli claimed the bronze medals.
The podium in Female Kata was topped by Spain’s Paola Garcia Lozano.
The successful event showcased Karate’s values on the beach, and it was brilliantly organised by the Mediterranean Karate Federation (MKFU). Headed by MKFU president and WKF Vice President Bechir Cherif and assisted by MKFU Secretary General Andreas Vasileiou, the tournament at Karteros Beach was an outstanding demonstration of Karate’s sporting spirit.
The Karate event had European Olympic Committees president and IOC member Spyros Capralos and the president of the Mediterranean Games (ICMG) Davide Tizzano in attendance.
WKF and EKF President Antonio Espinós said:
“I want to thank Mr Bechir Cherif and Mr. Andreas Vasileiou for their hard work in Heraklion and for making sure that our sport was exceptionally well represented at this memorable multi-sport event. With Mr. Cherif at the helm, the MKFU has experienced tremendous progress over the years, and now the events hosted by MKFU are a guarantee of excellence. With his efforts and guidance, Mr. Cherif has become one of the most respected leaders of Karate’s progress in the region and around the world. Mr Cherif and Mr Vasileiou’s contribution is crucial for the development of our sport.”
(Top picture: Spain lead the podium in Male Kata)
Morocco’s Sanae Agalman performs at the Female Kata event.
Olympian Damian Quintero shows his kata skills at the Male Kata competition.
MFKU president and WKF Vice President Bechir Cherif hands a recognition to European Olympic Committees president and IOC member Spyros Capralos.
From left to right: MKFU Secretary General Andreas Vasileiou, president of the Mediterranean Games (ICMG) Davide Tizzano, and MFKU president and WKF Vice President Bechir Cherif.
MKFU Secretary General Andreas Vasileiou, and MFKU president and WKF Vice President Bechir Cherif, together with competition manager Dimitrios Bokas and the organising team ensure that all the right conditions for the event are met.
(Pictures: https://heraklion23.gr/)