Offical promotion of WKF Senior World Karate Championship in Bremen

THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM AT THE USA OPEN

SANDY SCORDO VS ALEXANDRA FERACCI - 2014 FRENCH FEMALE KATA FINAL

New Zealand finished the first day of the 7th World University Karate Championships in grand style with Andrea Anacan of Auckland Uinversity winning a bronze medal in the women’s individual Kata. Andrea had a bye first round.  In second round she came up against Switzerland. Andrea did an excellent Kankudai to beat the Swiss girl’s Kankudai 4-1. In the quarter final she came up against France. Andrea attacked the French girl with a very good Chatanyara Kushanku but the French girl did a very sharp Gojushiho sho and won 5-0. France advance to the final against Japan so Andrea had a chance of a bronze medal in repecharge. First up she faced Azerbaijan who had just beaten USA in the first repecharge round. Andrea did a strong Kanhusho to win 5-0. in the play off for bronze she came up against Montenegro. Andrea went first with a very strong Annan. The Montenegro girl replied with Unsu. The whole of the New Zealand camp had their hearts in their mouths when the chief judge’s whistle went but the flags went Andrea’s way 3-2. New Zealand’s first medal in female Kata at WKF level has been won.

It was Andrea’s best performance by far at elite international level. She showed great composure under pressure and deserved her success. She pushed France much harder than the score line would suggest. France lost 2-3 to Japan in a very close final. Bronze from a field of 26 at this calibre is a wonderful performance.

New Zealand’s other competitor on day 1 was Jasmine Holland of Unitec in the Female under 55kg kumite. Jasmine started strongly against Andorra but got into foul trouble and conceded a penalty point. Andorra was lucky to avoid penalty for contact twice and gained 2 questionable points to slip ahead and hold on for a 4-3 win. Andorra lost next round to eventual silver medallist Brazil so no repecharge opportunity for Jasmine. Brazil lost 0-1 to Tunisia in the final.

In the 2 other divisions contested on Day 1, Iran was the upset winner of the Men’s individual Kata beating Spain in the final. Iran eliminated Japan and Italy on the way through. Italy probably had good reason to feel unlucky. Italy eliminated reigning Champion Minh Dack of France who is well known to New Zealand having competed at Oceania level and at NZ Opens and Sugihara Cup in Auckland on numerous occasions. Karate NZ can only ponder what might have been if Chris Rahardja had not been injured. I have no doubt that Chris would have medalled and NZ would have had medalsin both men’s and women’s individual kata. In the Female under 50kg kumite the very impressive French competitor stormed to a 7-1 victory over Switzerland.

Overall, as expected, the standard of these University Championships is proving high. Many top class WKF athletes are here as a build up for the Senior World Champs in Belgrade later this year.The competition is world class which makes Andrea’s achievement even more impressive.  Roll on Day 2. New Zealand’ sole competitor will be Letitia Carr in the Female under 61kg Kumite. She is in a very strong field that includes the Slovakian girl who won the gold at the World under 21 Cup in Morocco beating Letitia on judges decision in the semi-final. Letitia has drawn Brazil in the first round. Lets hope that tomorrow will end with another NZ medal.

A great start to the competition with Andrea Annacan from the skanz club in Auckland taking 3rd at the 7th World University Championships in Monternegro. A bye in the first round had her performing Kankudai against Switzerland , Switzerland beat South Africa in the first round, she won 4 flags to 1. Next round against France proved a difficult match, Andrea performed Chatanyara  going down 5 to 0 but getting the repochage as France progressed to the final placing 2nd to Japan. Andrea beat Aze 5 to 0 using Kankusho to get into a medal match with the home town competitor from Montenegro winning 3 to 2 to place third by performend Annan. She is the best performance by a NZ female ever at a WKF event and senior kata WKF event.