The 2025 EKF Senior Championships in Yerevan, Armenia continued with an action-packed second day as the remaining individual and team category finalists were decided. Europe’s best karate athletes delivered top performances as the race for continental gold heated up.
Female Team Kata: Portugal and Spain to Clash for Gold
Portugal advanced to the final after a 40.70 to 39.90 win over Türkiye. Current Karate World Cup silver medallists, Portugal now face Spain, who beat France 40.10 to 38.80. Spain, the defending European champions, aim to hold onto their title against a strong Portuguese side.
Male Team Kata: Spain and Italy Set for a Big Final
Spain overcame Montenegro 41.70 to 40.20 to book their place in the final. The Spanish team, silver medallists last year, will take on Italy, who defeated Türkiye 40.60 to 39.30. Italy, bronze medallists in 2024, now look to improve their podium standing.
Male Kumite -67kg: Ozer and Ogannisian Reach Final
Abdurrahim Ozer Omer of Türkiye edged past Nenad Dulovic of Montenegro 5-3 to reach his first European final. He will face Iurik Ogannisian, under EKF flag, who secured a 2-1 win over Muhammed Oezdemir of Germany. Ogannisian, a former -60kg bronze medallist, is making his mark in a new category.
Female Kumite -55kg: Title Holders Face Off
Mia Bitsch of Germany, the reigning European champion, continued her strong form with an 11-8 victory over Olympic champion Ivet Goranova of Bulgaria in one of the day’s standout matches. Jennifer Warling of Luxembourg defeated Lizi Zviadauri of Georgia 9-4 to reach her third continental final. The 2019 champion now eyes a second title.
Male Kumite -60kg: Arifi and Akhmedov in Final Debut
Orges Arifi of Albania beat Kenan Siljak of Bosnia and Herzegovina 5-3 to book his second consecutive continental final. He faces Akhmed Akhmedov of the EKF, who impressed with a 5-2 win over Islam Selmani of Kosovo. It’s a major milestone for Akhmedov in his first senior European Championships.
Female Kumite -50kg: Perfetto and Sgardelli to Fight for Gold
Erminia Perfetto of Italy secured her second European final with a 7-1 win over Aleksandra Mihailova of Latvia. She’ll face defending champion Ema Sgardelli of Croatia, who claimed a tight 4-3 victory over Tiphaine Bonnarde of France. Sgardelli is aiming for back-to-back continental golds after her title at home in Zadar and following a recent silver at the Karate 1-Premier League in Cairo.
The eliminations of Female Team Kumite completed the day as the officials gathered for a spectacular opening ceremony. Day two of the championships once again confirmed the depth of talent in European karate, with established champions and new names sharing the spotlight. Finals promise thrilling clashes as Yerevan continues to host the continent’s top athletes.
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