2024 Prize Giving – JKA World Champs – Stirling Karate

JKA world championships Japan 2024 The 2024 JKA World Championships—the 16th Funakoshi Gichin Cup—was held from October 25 to 27 at the Takasaki Arena in Gunma, Japan. This prestigious Shotokan Karate event showcased top competitors from around the globe, competing in both Kata and Kumite divisions. The 2024 Funakoshi Gichin Cup JKA World Championships featured participation from 130 countries, making it a truly global karate event. It brought together over 1,500 athletes to compete in kata and kumite disciplines. This is arguably the toughest karate tournament in the world in scoring criteria as well as scoring format. In the preliminary rounds kumite competitors need to score two wazaris or half points or one full point an ipon. In reality with the knock out format your tournament journey may end in seconds should your opponent score a full point early on in a bout. Highlights included intense performances in the senior categories, with Japan dominating the medal tally, followed closely by teams from Europe and the Americas. The event emphasized traditional karate values while promoting international camaraderie. Sensei Karin and Sensei Leon started their journey to Japan last year in Mauritius. Sensei Leon also had a preliminary trip to New Zealand to help prepare for this big occasion. Well done to sincere Leon for competing in his first JKA world championships both his committee and Kat performances were so inspiring Sensei Karin had a phenomenal tournament where she managed to come second in kata in her respective veteran division, and then with a phenomenal performance pulled off a winning performance that inspired everybody that watched. Well done on your world, champion title Sensei Karin. #karinprinsloo #jkaperth #16th Funakoshi Gichin Cup