Closing in to be largest event in sight – it is not easy to tell who will advance, the level of fighters are sky-high! We dive into the B – Block..
Watching the draw in total, we find it interesting to compare number, statistics from earlier championships. Doing so can give us some clues in what direction we are going – and not least: was this what we thought and expected? Photo by Pi-photo.pl
Now the average age is 24, and it moves downwards. Not unexpectedly, this is also seen in Europe. Due to the U-21 effort and younger age groups, younger athletes now maintain a significantly higher level than before. A good example: Lili Mezo and Brigita Svinkunaite, Mezo in her 2nd World Championship age 23, Svinkunaite in her first, age 20 year, Both on the EC top before they become 20 years. Photo: Okiem Sportowca
Block B
The first fight (2nd round) in the B block gives us a match between two top European fighters: Mirjam Björklund / Sweden vs ⇓ Oliwia Kurzątkowska / Poland. Kurzątkowska, the runner up in the -55 kg category in the EC this Spring. Hard forward pushing style, and seems to be able to go forever. Photo: Okiem Sportowca
⇓ Björklund also a podium contender – stable top 4 the last years. Fights in -60 kg category, but great results in the Open-weight category as well. Top four in the 7th World Championship in Weight categories last year, and are more established than her opponent. This fight will be a demanding first fight; both have showed strong fighting and good stamina. Photo: Okiem Sportowca
Next fight: between ⇓ Valentyna Kurmin / Lithuania vs Momo Fujihara / Japan. Fujihara comes in with ten kg more, and a stronger merit list in total. Kurmin have very good all-round skills, good pace and good movements. However to beat Fujihara on home-court will be her biggest challenge up to now. Kurmin has been on the European Championship podium in some occasions, and also in the final in the “European Karate Cup” back in 2021.
⇓ Momo Fujihara (Left) , if some remember. did participate in the last world championship also (12th World Championship) did in that case move on into 3rd round. In the 2nd round Fujihara stood toe to toe against one of the strongest, Monika Zielińska / Poland, and manage to take the pressure and still move forward. This gives us an idea about the strength of this fighter.
Reign EC champion Marija Sekunda / Lithuania faces Airi Kan / Japan in the first fight. Sekunda is first a physical challenge. Reach at 181 in height is one thing, but together with almost 90 kg, it becomes a solid challenge. Has been challenged when it comes to stamina, in high pace fights – and it would not be a surprise if “someone” used that tactic.
⇓ Airi Han may be more unknown for most of us, but she is here for a reason. Became the runner up in the 8th All japan Open JFKO – and did challenge Kokona Nomura in the final through all the extensions. In other words, she can take the pressure of a larger opponent. And she must, being 24 kg lighter than her opponent. Can Sekunda secure this fight with size and strong pressure? Will Airi Kan be able to outpace the larger opponent in a classic Japanese style fight?
⇓ Valeriya Krestina / Kazakhstan was the 18th Asia open champion last year, and do have other good achievements. Been active this year and showed very promising results. Sara Sheikhmoradizadeh / Iran – representing the Middle East, quite unknown in this setting for the most of us. What we have seen, is some good kicking abilities combined with some good aggression – but a little lack of experience when it comes to fighting in close range. It is a good possibility that Krestina will do exactly that.
The winner will have a challenge of their life, facing one of the absolute strongest fighters in the line-up: Chihiro Kubota ⇓ . Chihiro Kubota has been the champion for several editions – in the open-weight as well as the weight category division. We expect Kubota to advance further on In the Championship, how far is difficult to say – but it will be a surprise if she is out of the podium.
