The 2nd European Games to be held in Minsk (Belarus) next June will represent a milestone for Karate: it will be the first time that the new Kata rules will be introduced in the Karate competition of a multi-sport event. After being unveiled at the beginning of 2019, the new Kata rules have produced a major shift in the category of choreographed movements.
Aiming to streamline the Kata competition, the WKF introduced a modernised judging system for the category. The traditional decision-taking protocol by flags was replaced by a point-allocation system. Additionally, a new distribution of the competition was implemented.
As a result of the new rules, a panel formed by seven judges now evaluates the performances, with scores being given according to the technical and athletic presentation of the Katas. Competitors are divided into pools, and the two karatekas with the highest scores in the final pool move to the final.
The new rules entered into force on January 1st. They have been applied in every major Karate event this year, including the Karate 1-Premier League tournaments celebrated thus far as well as the continental championships. Now, as Karate continues making its progress to its Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020, the development of the sport will be once again showcased at the anticipated European Games.
THRILLING KATA COMPETITION IN MINSK
The Karate competition at the European Games will be held from June 29 to 30. No less than eight karatekas per category will participate in the Kata competition in Minsk. The Kata category is scheduled to be held on June 29th. The elimination rounds in both Male and Female Kata will take place from 09:00 to 10.45 while the bronze medal bouts are scheduled from 15.00 to 15.35. The final of Female Kata will be held at 16.55 and the final of Male Kata is expected for 17.55.
The list of competitors in Male Kata is headed by the leader of the Minsk 2019 standings and defending European Games title-holder Damian Quintero of Spain. European Championships runner-up Ali Sofuoglu of Turkey takes the second place in the Minsk 2019 standings. Baku 2015 silver medallist Mattia Busato of Italy who claimed bronze at the last continental championships complete the top three positions.
The status of front-runner in Female Kata is taken by Spain’s Sandra Sanchez. The leader of the Minsk 2019 standings holds the continental crown and is the current World champion in the category. The Spanish Kata ace also won the European Games title four years ago in Baku. Viviana Bottaro of Italy who is the current European Championships silver medallist takes the second spot in the standings with France’s Alexandra Feracci wrapping up the top three positions in the ranking.
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