From 5 to 9 June, more than 100 participants from 18 regions of the country competed in the Russian Karate Championship and Junior Championship at the Lokomotiv Arena regional volleyball centre in Novosibirsk, demonstrating their mastery of the Japanese martial art.

At the opening ceremony, all athletes and guests were warmly welcomed by Valentina Dudnikova, Deputy Governor of the Novosibirsk Region; Sergei Akhapov, Minister of Physical Culture and Sport of the Novosibirsk Region; Viktoria Nekliudova, Head of the OSFSG Competition Organisation and Conduct Department; Mayor of Novosibirsk Maxim Kudriavtsev, Head of the Department of Physical Culture and Sports of the Novosibirsk City Hall Konstantin Kationov, Chair and Acting Chair of the regional branches of the VOG and OSFSG Tatiana Khlamova and Dmitrii Sedov, respectively, and other officials.

The opening ceremony was colourfully decorated with fiery acrobatic performances by the local circus studio Arlekino, which captivated everyone present with their highest level of performance.

According to the competition rules, athletes competed for awards in kata, kumite (weight categories) and team competitions. During the three days of the competition, the kata performances took place in the morning, followed by the kumite matches in the afternoon. On the final day, the strongest kata and kumite competitors faced off in the finals, and there were also competitions in the absolute discipline. For reference:

Kata involves a series of technical actions (movements, strikes, techniques, blocks). Each kata consists of a certain number of movements performed in a specific order.

Kumite is a form of combat that helps to develop a sense of distance and rhythm, as well as speed, accuracy, and stability. In kumite, two athletes face each other and demonstrate various techniques.

Overall team standings in the Russian Junior Championship:

1. Krasnoyarsk Krai

2. Saint Petersburg

3. Moscow

Overall team standings in the Russian Championship:

1. Moscow

2. Saint Petersburg

3. Ivanovo Oblast

RESULTS BY WINNERS AND PRIZE WINNERS OF THE RUSSIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

RESULTS BY WINNERS AND PRIZE WINNERS OF THE RUSSIAN JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Mikhail Nerushev, senior coach of the Russian national karate team:

"The Russian Championship and Junior Championship were held in Novosibirsk at the highest level! Special thanks go to the organisers and volunteers for their coordinated work, as well as to the referees and the competition secretary. I won't single anyone out for the championship - almost all the leaders of the Russian national team confirmed their status, and I am very happy for them.

It is encouraging that new athletes have emerged in the national junior championship. I would like to highlight Vitalii Niurkin, the coach from the Krasnoyarsk Krai who has been nurturing new karate stars for many years. His patience and hard work paid off when the Krasnoyarsk Krai team won first place in the overall team standings of the championship. My gratitude also goes to all the coaches for their patience and hard work in their difficult job."

Text: Nurlan Tazhigulov

Photo: Polina Samoilova

Translation: Daria Kudelina