Kiyuna wins third straight World Karate Championship, also repeats in group category with Kinjo and Uemura

Kiyuna wins third straight World Karate Championship, also repeats in group category with Kinjo and Uemura

Ryo Kiyuna won his third straight world championship


 

November 12, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On the fifth day of the World Karate Championship held in Madrid, Spain, Okinawan-born Ryo Kiyuna (Ryueiryu-ryouho Kai, Konan High School and Okinawa International University) won his third-straight championship, defeating his Spanish opponent 5-0 in the final. Kiyuna ran roughshod over the competition, not losing a single point in any match on his way to the title.

In addition, on the final day of the tournament, November 11, Kiyuna also won the male group kata category along with teammates Arata Kinjo from Okinawa (Ryueiryu-ryouho Kai, Technical High School, and Okinawa International University) and Takuya Uemura from Naha (Ryueiryu-ryouho Kai, Konan High School and Okinawa International University), defeating Spain 5-0 for their second-straight title.

 

Kiyuna is the first Karate-ka to win his third-straight championship in the individual competition since Kiyuna’s mentor and Okinawa Sports Association President Tsuguo Sakumoto did so 30 years ago.

Kiyuna said, “I am happy to have accomplished my goal of winning each match 5-0.

I thought I was able to use the crowd’s energy to pull it off.” This victory solidifies Kiyuna’s place at the top of the Karate world.

 

Arata Kinjo, who represented Japan as part of the repeat-champion group kata team said, “We put our hearts into showcasing the technique of the Ryuei style.

We are very thankful for everyone’s support.” Takuya Uemura added, “As always, we tried to express Okinawan Karate with our performance. I hope we can continue to improve.”

 

Kiyuna said of his two championships, “Both the individual and group competition were won 5-0. I think I am happy.

Starting from the fundamentals, I want to keep practicing and leveling up,” he said, expressing his desire to continue perfecting his craft.

 

While the individual kata competition will be held at the 2020 Olympics, the group kata will not.

 

(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)

 

Go to Japanese

 

 


　


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