Uzbek karatekas shine at the 2019 AKF Senior Karate Championships in Tashkent

The gold medal count for hosts started in Female Kumite -50kg. Bakhriniso Babaeva took the flag of the organising nation to the top of the podium after edging World champion Miho Miyahara of Japan 8-8 in a sensational final. In one of the biggest upsets of the day, Babaeva won her first international title since the Uzbek karateka had only taken one silver and one bronze medals in international competitions thus far.

The celebrations for Uzbekistan continued as the biggest star in the country also won gold. Sadriddin Saymatov prevailed in Male Kumite -60kg and claimed his first continental title after getting bronze and silver in the two previous editions. The former Grand Winner defeated Kyrgyzstan’s Rafael Akbarov in the final 6-2.    

The third gold for the Uzbek delegation was claimed by Nodira Djumaniyazova in Female Kumite -68kg. In her first appearance in international competitions, the young karateka surprised favourites and became new continental champion after taking an impressive 7-3 victory over Indonesia’s Ceyco Georgia Zefanya.

The Iranian delegation also had reasons to celebrate since the powerhouse nation of the sport finished the day with three gold medals. Travat Khaksar prevailed in Female Kumite -55kg following a convincing 6-0 victory over local hopeful Sevinch Rakhimova.