Turkiye Dominates Karate Finals at European Universities Championships in Warsaw
The final day of karate at the European Universities Championships in Warsaw delivered top-class action – the finals. Gold medals were contested in eight women’s and eight men’s categories, with Turkish universities leading the way.
The day began with the kumite finals. Natacha Fernandes (University of Lisbon) defeated Elena Roversi (University of Ferrara), while Roman Hrcka (University of St. Cyril and Methodius, Trnava) overcame Petru Comanescu (National University of Physical Education and Sport).
One of the most dramatic bouts came in the women’s kumite +68 kg. Clemence Pea (University of Burgundy) fought back from 0–2 down against Theodosia Giamouki (University of Cyprus) to force a tie. However, the Cypriot claimed gold under the rule awarding victory to the first scorer.
Turkiye shone in the men’s kumite +84 kg final, where Kadir Furkan Genc (Istanbul Aydin University) beat compatriot Omer Faruk Arslan (Istanbul Kent University). In the women’s -68 kg category, Angela Mojsovska (Saints Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje) edged Behije Mustafa (University of Prishtina) 4:3. Bosnia and Herzegovina also had its moment as Hamza Turulja (University of Sarajevo) defeated Ljubisa Maric (University of East Sarajevo) 2–1 in the men’s -84 kg final.
Among the women up to -61 kg, Miruna Mihaela Malauta (Ecological University of Bucharest) took gold with a 3–0 victory over Fatma Naz Yenen (Istanbul Kent University). In the -55 kg, Beyza Nur Akgulu (Istanbul Kent University) had to settle for silver after losing to Nina Kvasnicova (University of Salzburg).
From there, Turkiye dominated the individual events. Omer Faruk Yurur (Istanbul Aydin University) defeated Ljupcho Michajlov (Goce Delcev University of Štip, North Macedonia) in the 75 kg category, while Ekrem Altuner Yilmaz (Istanbul Kent University) overwhelmed Dominik Imrich (University of Economics, Bratislava) 11:3 in the 67 kg class.
The two lightest categories also went to Turkiye. Rabia Calis (University of Health Sciences) defeated Maya Schaerer (University of Zurich) 4:3 in the women’s 50 kg, and Burak Ozdemir (Gazi University) beat Andreas Gavriel (University of Cyprus) 9:3 in the men’s 60 kg.
The competition closed with team events in Ursynów Arena. In women’s kata, the University of Porto triumphed over the University of Nottingham, while Istanbul Aydin University claimed men’s kata gold against Gazi University. The Istanbul team also won men’s team kumite against Nottingham. The women’s team kumite title went to the University of Salzburg, who defeated Istanbul Kent University.
With victories across both individual and team events, Turkish universities once again confirmed their dominance on the European stage.