The race for the prestigious “Grand Winner” titles shifts to Italy next month, as the second stage of the 2026 Karate 1-Premier League prepares to take place in Rome from March 13 to 15.
The event follows a high-octane season opener in Istanbul this past January, where African athletes emerged as dominant forces on the international tatami.
In Turkey, the first tournament featured a competitive field of over 200 elite athletes from across the globe. The Egyptian national team made a particularly strong statement in the men’s Kumite categories. Omar Osman secured the gold medal in the -84 kg division, while teammates Youssef Badawy and Taha Mahmoud demonstrated Egypt’s depth by reaching their respective finals and securing silver medals.
The women’s divisions saw equally impressive results for the continent. Morocco’s Nisrine Brouk delivered a standout performance in the -68 kg Kumite category, claiming the title and establishing herself as a frontrunner for the season championship. The success of Brouk and her peers in Istanbul has heightened expectations for the Moroccan and Egyptian delegations as they head to Rome.
For these athletes, the Italian stage is more than just a single tournament; it is a critical opportunity to accumulate the points necessary to be crowned “Grand Winner” at the end of the season. With the rankings currently tight, every match in Rome will be decisive for African karatekas aiming to maintain their lead against top-tier competition from Europe and Asia. Following the Rome event, the Premier League circuit will continue to test the endurance and skill of the world’s best martial artists in the hunt for global karate supremacy.
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