Nearly 500 karatekas from 54 countries will clash for glory in the Karate 1-Premier League to be held in Istanbul next weekend. As the registration for the seventh tournament of Karate’s first-class competition is finally closed, top athletes from all over the world have confirmed their participation in the anticipated competition in the Turkish city.

Nearly 500 karatekas from 54 countries will clash for glory in the Karate 1-Premier League to be held in Istanbul next weekend. As the registration for the seventh tournament of Karate’s first-class event is finally closed, top athletes from all over the world have confirmed their attendance in the anticipated competition to be celebrated in the Turkish city from September 3-4. 

Turkish Karatekas lead the participation count with the largest delegation after signing up over 100 competitors. Karate stars and local heroes Serap Ozcelik and Enes Erkan spearhead the hopeful representation of the host country in their quest to gold.

Turkish stars to compete in Istanbul

After clinching the silver medal in 2016 Karate European Championships, Karate Star Serap Ozcelik will try to shine at home ground in Female Kumite -50kg category. The 28 year-old Turkish idol aims at extending her impressive tally of honours thus continuing her domination in the category in events celebrated in her home country. The 2014 World champion has reached the podium in all the last four editions of the Karate 1-Premier League held in Istanbul, following gold medals in 2012, 2014 and 2015 and a silver medal in 2013. If the 2015 European Games champion claims gold this weekend, the Turkish heroine will achieve back-to-back victories in the event in Istanbul for the last three seasons.

The attention of Turkish fans will be also posed in local idol Enes Erkan. The 2014 world champion finished in second position in the Karate 1-Premier League in Istanbul in 2014, and after his bronze medal in Karate European Championships this year, the 29 years-old ace hopes to cause a sensation in his hometown in front of family and friends.

Rafael Aghayev leads big names in Istanbul

While local enthusiasts will root for the numerous delegation of the host country, some of the biggest names of the sport will travel to Istanbul aiming to extend their domination in Karate world. Superstar Rafael Aghayev will be one of the crowd favourites in the Turkish city, as the European champion will seek to showcase his powerful performances while aiming at his third gold medal this season in three appearances. The Azerbaijan’s hero dominated the Male Kumite -75 Kg category in the European Karate Championship and in Karate 1 – Premier League in Dubai this season, and is expected to be in the final stages of the competition in Istanbul.



Two of the most successful Karatekas this season will compete for gold in Kata categories in the Turkish city. Sandra Sanchez of Spain has reached podium in all her four appearances this season, after claiming the first position in Karate 1-Premier League tournaments in Dubai and Sharm El-Sheik and in 2016 Karate European Championship, while earning silver medal in Karate 1-Premier League in Rabat. The Spanish Karate Star is one of the top candidates to shine in Female Kata competition.

Even more impressive is Karate Star Damian Quintero’s tally this season. The Spaniard has earned four gold medals (in Karate 1 –Premier League tournaments in Rabat, Dubai and Rotterdam and in Karate European Championships) and finished in second position in Karate 1-Premier League in Salzburg. The European champion will try to continue his outstanding performances in Male Kata category in Istanbul.

Host country of Turkey topped the final standings of the Karate 1-Premier League in Istanbul last year with a tally of 21 medals, followed by Egypt and FYR of Macedonia.

Click here for more information on the Karate 1-Premier League in Istanbul. 

Click here for full list of participants in Karate 1-Premier League in Istanbul.