Italy finished the 2026 EKF Senior Championships in Frankfurt, Germany, at the top of the medal table after a superb collective performance. The final day crowned the new European champions in the team events and in the last Para Karate divisions, bringing the championships to an exciting conclusion in Frankfurt.
The Italian delegation earned seven gold medals and a total of nine medals to lead the standings at the end of the memorable continental event. Turkiye and Croatia followed with six medals each after strong performances throughout the competition.
Italy defeat Turkiye to win Male Team Kata
Italy became the new European champions in Male Team Kata after defeating Turkiye 6-1 in the final. The Italian team improved the silver medal won last year and continued the country’s outstanding success at the championships with another gold medal in Frankfurt.
Italy overcome Portugal to claim Female Team Kata gold
Italy also claimed the title in Female Team Kata with a dominant 7-0 victory over Portugal. After finishing third last year, the Italian squad climbed to the top of the podium and added another gold medal to the highly successful campaign of the Italian delegation.
Nohan Dudon takes gold in Para Karate Male Visually Impaired (K10)
France celebrated gold in the Para Karate Male Visually Impaired division as Nohan Dudon defeated Romania’s Dorin Alexe by 41.3 to 39.7. Dudon delivered a strong performance in the final to secure the continental title.
Veronika Kamenska wins Para Karate Female Visually Impaired (K10)
Veronika Kamenska of the Czech Republic won the European title in the Para Karate Female Visually Impaired category after beating Turkiye’s Suna Saracoglu 40.0 to 38.6.
Germany retain Female Team Kumite title against France at Home
Germany retained the European title in Female Team Kumite after defeating France in front of a packed arena in Frankfurt. In a repeat of last year’s final, the German team once again showed its strength and successfully defended the continental crown with the support of the home crowd throughout the match. The home ground factor, and the cheers from a packed stadium were crucial to carry the German team to a celebrated triumph.
Italy dominate Turkiye to secure Male Team Kumite crown
Italy captured the gold medal in Male Team Kumite after a final fully controlled by the Italian side against Turkiye. The Italian team retained the title won last year and secured a third consecutive European crown in the category, confirming their dominance in the event.
Berkay Uslu wins in Para Karate Male Wheelchair Athletes (K30)
Turkiye earned gold in the Para Karate Male Wheelchair Athletes division as Berkay Uslu defeated compatriot Ahmet Kayra Odemis 42.0 to 41.1 in a close final. Uslu edged the all-Turkish contest to become the new European champion.
Anna Thorwirth claims gold in Para Karate Female Wheelchair Athletes (K30)
Germany added another gold medal through Anna Thorwirth in the Para Karate Female Wheelchair Athletes category. Thorwirth defeated England’s Helen Marsh 40.0 to 38.7 to claim the European title in front of the home fans.
The final day of the championships completed five days of high-level action in Frankfurt and confirmed Italy as the leading nation of the 2026 European Karate Championships and Germany as one of the main powerhouse nations of the sport.