We are approaching this year’s big event, the 6th World Cup in Karate Shinkyokushin,and in this context we will take a closer look at athletes in the respective classes.. Four divisions for men/women, and the best fighters from each region are chosen through results from notable tournaments as All Japan open, European Championship etc.
High pace and intensity is what we can expect as we move in to the women lightweight category under 50 kg. As we mentioned in the lightest men category, many of the excellent fighters are newer to the public, since this category bring in lighter fighter than the old categories had.
The category have several strong fighters that are quite even, so the tournament will be tough and very even. Besides fighters from Japan and Europe, the host land Kazakhstan will also be a factor to count in! The feeling is bad, not to mention everybody..!
European Champion from 2016, Violeta Litovska, Bulgaria will be a challenge for everyone to meet. With the power and technique to finish fights before full time – as in the EC final 2016. Litovska also became the runner up in the KWU World Championship 2013, but her loss was later “no contest” as her opponent delivered a positive doping test. We think she will advance to the second fight, and meet the winner of Ayu Takeya, Japan vs Dilnaz Alimova, Kazakhstan. Both good all round fighters..
Japan vs Kazakhstan have one more 1st round fight in this category, Miki Shoguchi vs Saniya Aitzhanova, the winner of this will most likely meet Maria Savelieva, Russia, who have to win against outside entry Hayley-Beth Rowlands IFK, UK,KWU.
Europe have several good fighters in the tournament, and one of the Lithuanian representatives is Justina Sisaite. Runner up in the EC 2016.
Poland have also well merited fighter in the line up, Sandra Nowak. Nowak being among top three in the European Championship two last years, 3rd in 2016 and 2nd in this year.
Tough challenge in Lyudmila Ustyugova, Kazakhstan in the first fight, winner of 16 Asian Championship, Busan Korea 2016. Maybe the biggest favorite in the category: 3 times All Japan Open Weight JFKO Champion and more ⇐ Yui Kikukawa, Ashihara Kaikan, Japan will face Russian Elizaveta Kundel in their first fight. The winner of this fight will most likely meet this year European Champion Daiva Krisciuniene, Lithuania.
