The stage is set at the Kresimir Cosic Sports Hall in Zadar for the 2024 European Karate Federation (EKF) Senior Championships, the top continental event that will see 671 competitors from 51 countries competing from May 8 to 12. At the opening press conference, Croatian athletes and officials expressed their enthusiasm for the upcoming tournament.
The press conference was headed by Davor Cipek, president of the Croatian Karate Union and General Secretary of the EKF, and Snjezana Jurinic, president of the Sports Association of the City of Zadar, as well as Tomislav Zubcic, director of the Visnjik Sports Center together with Croatian karate stars Ivan Kvesic, Ivan Martinac, Sadea Becirovic, and Nikolina Golombos, and National coach Danil Domdjoni.
Croatia Karate Union president and EKF General Secretary Davor Cipek said:
“I would like to thank the city of Zadar for the tremendous support, the Government of the Republic of Croatia, and the Ministry of Tourism and Sport of the Republic of Croatia, without whom this project would not have been realized. Also, many thanks to the EKF Executive Committee, EKF Congress, and EKF President Antonio Espinós for accepting our bid to host this event. We will try to do our best to provide a first-class organisation to this championship which is so important as it qualifies the teams for Pamplona and puts athletes on the road to Cairo 2025. Also, I would like to mention that we are very pleased to highlight that 51 countries have registered to participate in the event.”
“The City of Zadar has always been supportive of major events, and we are extremely pleased to be able to host the European Karate Championships. Zadar is known as a sports city, and the organization of this event confirms that reputation. I wish the entire Croatian Karate Team a successful performance,” said Snjezana Jurinic, president of the Sports Association of the City of Zadar and deputy head of the Department for Culture and Sports of the City of Zadar.
Snjezana Jurinic, president of the Sports Association of the City of Zadar and deputy head of the Department for Culture and Sports of the City of Zadar during the press conference.
“It is our honour and pleasure to host the European Karate Championships. I thank you for choosing our centre to host the event, and I also thank the city of Zadar for its support in realizing this project” said the director of the”Visnjik” Sports Centre Tomislav Zubcic.
Representing the athletes participating in Zadar, 2018 World Champion Ivan Kvesic said:
“I am extremely happy that the city of Zadar and Croatia are hosting the European Championships. The competition is tough, and reaching the final will be challenging, but I believe that with the support of the home crowd and my excellent form, I can go all the way, and win the gold medal, which is my primary goal. On Friday, I will also compete in the team competition, and I believe the audience will find both individual and team competition interesting.”
On his way to Zadar, EKF and WKF President Antonio Espinós said after the event:
“The journey to hosting an event of the scale of an EKF Senior Championships is a monumental task, and the Croatian Karate Union has shown outstanding commitment. Their tireless efforts have paved the way for what I am sure will be a memorable and successful event. I am delighted to express my sincere gratitude to the Croatian Karate Union and its President Davor Cipek for their exceptional support and hard work in organizing the 2024 EKF Senior Championships in Zadar.
In addition to crowning new continental champions, the 2024 EKF Senior Championships will also serve as a qualification event for the upcoming World Team Championships in Pamplona, Spain, later this year. This dual focus adds a layer of anticipation to the competition, as athletes are not only vying for European titles but also aiming to secure their spots on the world stage.
Pictures: Croatian Karate Union.
Top picture: Croatian Karate Union President and EKF General Secretary Davor Cipek (centre) highlighted the importance of the event for European Karate.
The Croatian athletes representing the competitors at the press conference.
The director of the”Visnjik” Sports Centre Tomislav Zubcic welcomed all the representatives of European Karate to the venue.
Croatian Karate Union President and EKF General Secretary Davor Cipek.