The first day of the 2026 EKF Senior Championships in Frankfurt delivered high-level action as Europe’s top karate athletes clashed for places in the finals. The opening day of the continental event confirmed the finalists in the first individual categories and featured experienced champions, rising stars, and several breakthrough performances.
Paola Garcia Lozano vs Terryana D Onofrio Set for Female Kata Final
Spain’s Paola Garcia Lozano advanced to the final after defeating Belgium’s Chiara Manca 6-1 in the semifinals. The current bronze medallist and 2023 continental champion showed control and precision throughout the bout.
Italy’s Terryana D Onofrio secured the other place in the final with a dominant 7-0 victory over Portugal’s Ana Cruz. The defending champion will compete in her fourth continental final.
Enes Ozdemir vs Alessio Ghinami in Male Kata Gold Medal Match
Türkiye’s Enes Ozdemir continued his strong form by beating Slovakia’s Roman Hrcka 5-2 to reach the final. The reigning continental champion will fight for a second European title match appearance.
Italy’s Alessio Ghinami also won 5-2 in the semifinals against Spain’s Raul Martin Romero. The current world championships runner-up and European bronze medallist remains one of the main contenders for gold.
Clemence Pea and Clio Ferracuti Reach Female Kumite +68 Kg Final
France’s Clemence Pea claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over Slovenia’s Zala Maria Zibret in Female Kumite +68 Kg. Pea advances to the first continental final of her career.
Italy’s Clio Ferracuti defeated Greece’s Kyriaki Kydonaki 5-3 in an intense semifinal. Ferracuti, already a continental bronze medallist, also reaches her first European final.
Ugur Aktas and Matteo Avanzini to Clash in Male Kumite +84 Kg Final
Türkiye’s Ugur Aktas produced one of the stories of the day by reaching the Male Kumite +84 Kg final after a 2-0 win over Croatia’s Andjelo Kvesic. The four-time continental champion returned to a European final after changing categories in a major comeback performance.
Italy’s Matteo Avanzini edged Georgia’s Merabi Gelashvili 4-3 to book his place in the title bout. The reigning world champion and continental bronze medallist is aiming to add the European crown to his world title.
Sadea Becirovic and Thalya Sombe Advance to Female Kumite -68 Kg Final
Croatia’s Sadea Becirovic reached her first continental final in Female Kumite -68 Kg after defeating Spain’s Maria Isabel Nieto Mejias.
France’s Thalya Sombe advanced with a 4-0 victory over Ukraine’s Elina Sieliemienieva. The current world champion now targets continental gold to complete back-to-back world and European triumphs.
Konstantinos Mastrogiannis vs Eduard Gasparian Confirmed for Male Kumite -84 Kg Final
Greece’s Konstantinos Mastrogiannis delivered one of the strongest performances of the day with a clear 5-0 victory over Croatia’s Ivan Kvesic. The 2024 continental champion moves into his second European final.
Representing EKF-1, Eduard Gasparian defeated Ukraine’s Valerii Chobotar 2-1 to secure his first continental final appearance.
Mia Greta Zorko and Altana Basangova Surprise in Female Kumite -61 Kg
Croatia’s Mia Greta Zorko earned a 5-3 victory over Slovakia’s Ingrida Bakos Suchankova to advance to the final. It marks the biggest result of her career after previously winning bronze in a Karate One Series A event.
EKF-1 athlete Altana Basangova caused one of the major upsets of the day by beating Azerbaijan’s Gulay Orujova 4-2. Competing internationally for the first time, Basangova reached the final in a remarkable debut.
Kilian Cizo vs Omer Faruk Yurur to Decide Male Kumite -75 Kg Title
France’s Kilian Cizo advanced to his first continental final after defeating Belgium’s Quentin Mahauden 3-0 in Male Kumite -75 Kg.
Türkiye’s Omer Faruk Yurur booked the second spot in the final with a 4-0 win over Ukraine’s Andrii Zaplitnyi. Yurur, a four-time silver medallist in Karate One Premier League events, will now compete for his first European title.
The medal days of the event (Saturday and Sunday) will be available LIVE on the WKF YouTube channel