Written by the World Karate Federation (WKF)
(WKF) The World Karate Cadet, Junior and U21 Championships was held in Jakarta (Indonesia) from 12 to 15 November 2015. This 9th edition brought together 92 countries and 1,368 competitors of the next generations of the high level of world karate. In the heads of all, the ambition of the world karate had turned to the Olympics Games in Tokyo 2020 and the forthcoming integration of karate in the Olympic world (the final decision will be taken next summer in Rio). The presence and commitment of Japan in this competition was also especially strong with Japan being the first placed nation in the overall medals table.
Jakarta 2015 has brought many changes in the organization of the World Championships. On one hand, this championship marks the end of the face mask. The efforts done by the WKF and the improvements of the rules have made it possible to remove this protection, which was adopted at the world championships in Rabat (Morocco) in 2009. On the other hand, the U21 categories have been changed, passing from 3 categories to 5 categories for male / female.
The host country, Indonesia, has been able to welcome many delegations in the ultra-modern ICE convention center in Jakarta. But the local team has also touched the hearts of its audience and memories with beautiful Kumite finals, but especially its gold medal for the title of World Kata Champion for Ahmad Zigi Zaresta in the Junior category. In Kumite, the Indonesian team surprised maintaining a pace that enabled them to reach the top step of the podium in the following categories: Cadet -70kg (Karomi Faqih); Junior +59kg (Ceyco Georgia Zefanya) and Junior -76kg (Muhammad Fahmi Sanusi).
Another outstanding achievement during these championships was the result of young Egyptian Gianna Lotfy (-61kg), Junior World Champion in 2011 and World Champion U21 in 2013. The Egyptian is the only one to have retained her title in Jakarta, but more importantly to get three consecutive titles. Moreover, this young prodigy is also the current World Champion, having obtained the gold medal the World Senior Championships 2014 in Bremen!
Similarly, her compatriot Mohamed El Kotby (-84 kg), was a gold medallist in 2011 (Cadet) and 2013 (Junior), rising again on the podium this year in the U21 category with a bronze medal.
As already mentioned above, Japan topped the medals table with 8 gold, 3 silver and 7 bronze medals, obtaining the first position worldwide. Turkey, with 7 gold, 1 silver and 5 bronze medals got the second place, as in 2011 (in 2013 they obtained the 4th place in the medals standing). Egypt, winner in the years 2011 and 2013, slipped to the 3rd place, with 6 gold, 8 silver and 7 bronze medals. Absent during the two previous editions, Indonesia – this time playing home – surprised ending in 4th position with its 4 gold medals. Once again, France, who was 4th in 2011 and 3rd in 2013, remains in the top 5 worldwide, with 3 gold, 3 silver and 5 bronze medals. In terms of total number of medals obtained, Egypt dominates with 21 medals, followed by Japan (18), Turkey (13), France (11) and Iran (10).
By categories, the following results were obtained by the different nations:
Cadet (14-15 years):
Japan finished first with 7 medals (3 gold / 1 silver / 3 bronze), ahead of Egypt with 5 medals (2 gold / 2 silver / 1 bronze) and Turkey with 5 medals (2 gold / 3 bronze). Italy is in fourth position with 2 medals (1 gold / 1 silver), preceding Croatia with 1 gold medal.
Junior (16-17):
France is first with 6 medals (3 gold / 1 silver / 2 bronze), followed by Japan with 5 medals (3 gold / 2 bronze) and Indonesia with 3 gold medals. Egypt is placed 4th with 8 medals (1 gold / 4 silver / 3 bronze), before Turkey with 2 medals (1 gold / 1 bronze).
U21 (18-20):
Turkey is first with 5 medals (4 gold / 1 bronze), Egypt is second with 9 medals (3 gold / 2 silver / 4 bronze) and Japan third with 6 medals (2 gold / 2 silver / 2 bronze). Iran ranks fourth with 4 medals (1 gold / 3 bronze) and Morocco fifth with 2 medals (1 gold / 1 silver).
The 10th World Championship Cadet, Junior & U21 will be held in Cairo, Egypt in 2017.
These World Championships were also a good opportunity for the Executive Committee to work on the future of Karate, with the view on the next World Senior Championships in October 2016 in Linz (Austria), but mainly focused on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic project.
Written by the World Karate Federation
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