The third day of the 2026 EKF Senior Championships in Frankfurt kept the level of excitement high as Europe’s best karate athletes clashed for places in the finals. The day featured the decisive team kumite contests and the always inspiring para karate competition, where athletes showed determination, skill and the inclusive spirit of karate.
France vs Germany – Repeat of Last Year’s Female Team Kumite Final
France and Germany advanced to the final of Female Team Kumite after strong semifinal performances. France defeated Azerbaijan 2-0, while Germany edged Austria 2-1 in a close contest.
The final will repeat last year’s title bout in Yerevan, where Germany claimed the continental crown with a 2-0 victory over France. Both teams again proved why they remain among the strongest squads in Europe and will now meet once more for the gold medal.
Turkiye vs Italy – European Powers Reach Male Team Kumite Final
Turkiye and Italy secured their places in the Male Team Kumite final after intense semifinal matches. Turkiye overcame Georgia 3-2 in one of the closest contests of the day, while Italy defeated Montenegro 3-0 with a dominant performance.
Italy arrives in the final as defending champion after winning the 2025 title in Yerevan against Croatia by 3-2. Turkiye, however, showed great consistency and depth in Frankfurt and now aims to take the continental title.
Suna Saracoglu vs Veronika Kamenska – Blind/Visually Impaired Female K10
Suna Saracoglu of Turkiye and Veronika Kamenska of Czech Republic advanced to the final of the Blind/Visually Impaired Female K10 category.
Both athletes delivered composed performances during the eliminations and earned their places in the gold medal match.
Dorin Alexe vs Nohan Dudon – Blind/Visually Impaired Male K10
Dorin Alexe of Romania and Nohan Dudon of France will compete for the title in the Blind/Visually Impaired Male K10 division.
The category once again highlighted the high level of para karate in Europe, with both finalists demonstrating strong focus and confidence.
Federica Yakymashko vs Olivia Kakosy – Intellectually Impaired Female K21
Federica Yakymashko of Italy and Olivia Kakosy of Hungary reached the final of the Intellectually Impaired Female K21 category.
The two athletes stood out during the eliminations with disciplined performances and will now face each other for the continental title.
Lucia Vlkova vs Daniela Topic – Intellectually Impaired Female K22
Lucia Vlkova of Slovakia and Daniela Topic of Croatia qualified for the final of the Intellectually Impaired Female K22 division.
Both competitors impressed with their control and precision in a category that featured strong performances from start to finish.
Mike Richter vs Carlos Huertas Ruiz – Intellectually Impaired Male K21
Mike Richter of Germany delighted the home crowd by advancing to the final of the Intellectually Impaired Male K21 category, where he will meet Carlos Huertas Ruiz of Spain.
Richter showed confidence during the eliminations, while Huertas Ruiz secured his place in the final after a solid series of performances.
Patrick Buwalda vs Mattia Allesina – Intellectually Impaired Male K22
Italy guaranteed itself the gold medal in the Intellectually Impaired Male K22 category after Patrick Buwalda and Mattia Allesina both advanced to the final.
The all-Italian final reflects the country’s strength in para karate and sets up an important contest between two teammates.
Anna Thorwirth vs Helen Marsh – Wheelchair User Female K30
Anna Thorwirth of Germany and Helen Marsh of England earned their places in the Wheelchair User Female K30 final.
Thorwirth received strong support from the local fans in Frankfurt, while Marsh showed great consistency to advance to the decisive match.
Ahmet Kayra Odemis vs Berkay Uslu – Wheelchair User Male K30
Turkiye will also celebrate an all-national final in the Wheelchair User Male K30 division, where Ahmet Kayra Odemis will face Berkay Uslu.
Both athletes dominated their eliminations and confirmed the country’s strong level in para karate competition.
The third day of competition in Frankfurt once again showed the quality of European karate at every level. From the intensity of team kumite to the powerful stories seen in para karate, the championships continue to celebrate excellence, equality and the spirit of the sport.
The medal days of the event (Saturday and Sunday) will be available LIVE on the WKF YouTube channel
