Great Success for the First IJF Kata World Series

Jean-Luc Rougé, 10th dan and chair of the IJF Kata Commission declared, "The IJF wants to develop the Kata World Series. It was a first successful experience with a large number of participants and a very interesting quality of performance. The Belgium federation should be thanked for its excellent organisation and the friendliness it has been able to provide throughout this competition. We look forward to seeing each other at the next stage of the IJF Kata World Series which will take place on 12th April in Reims, France and wish them success."

Frédéric Treuttens, president of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, member of the Belgian Judo Federation explained, "I am very satisfied with this first edition held under the aegis of the IJF. We have things to improve but we are very happy with the participation rate, a record compared to previous editions of our tournament before the Lata World Series was established. It is recognition of the quality of the event. We hope to welcome more nations, especially from outside Europe, in the future. I am very happy with the teams, whom I thank warmly."

Law Lai Wah is a judge from Hong Kong and was officiating during the event, "I like this competition! Before, on the world stage there was only one big event per year, the world championship, so now with the IJF Kata World Series, we have more occasions to increase the kata level. It’s important to push kata, maybe one day we could go to the Olympics."

Nicolas and Jean-Philippe Gilon participated, representing the host country Belgium and won the gold medal in Katame No Kata devision, "We are very happy to be on the podium at home, especially since it is the first Kata World Series tournament, in Belgium, and we did everything we could to participate. It is very important to have the supporters and the federation behind us. It is a real pleasure and honour to have participated."

The IJF Kata World Series was indeed is a big premiere. For many years, kata has been growing both internationally, with the organisation of the world championships every year, the last edition having taken place in Las Vegas in 2024, and at national federation level. With this new type of event, kata is building momentum to develop throughout the world. The next edition of the event will be held in Reims, France, on 12th April 2025.

Results

Nage No Kata

1. COLLINI, Mauro - RONDININI, Tommaso (ITA)
2. SARALEGUI VALLEJO, Unai - REGUILLAGA EIZAGUIRRE, Unai (ESP)
3. MARIN GOMEZ NIVES, Antonio - AYALA TORRADO, Eduardo (ESP)

Nage No Kata U21

1. PLATTFAUT, Elisa - DEN RIDDER, Jaime Oliver (GER)
2. MARZAL0NI, Filippo - BELLOSI, Nicola (ITA)
3. TAPOLCSANYI, Dorottya - HUDANK, Peter (HUN)

Katame No Kata

1. GILON, Nicolas - GILON, Jean Philippe (BEL)
2. BARNICH, Yvan - CLOSSET, Dimitri (BEL)
3. FREGNAN, Andrea - CORCIONI, Pietro (ITA)

Katame No Kata U21

1. KIRALY, Dora - KOSA, Reka (HUN)
2. VAN HERWIJNEN GONZALEZ, Raul - JOSEFS CERDAN, Pall (ESP)
3. GIJSBERS, Emma - WELLES, Iris (NED)

Ju No Kata

1. DAX ROMSWINKEL, Wolfgang - LOOSEN, Ursula (GER)
2. TARABELLI, Giovanni - TARABELLI, Angelica (ITA)
3. COULON, Mathieu - HERAS, Carole (FRA)

Ju No Kata U21

1. QUARTIERI, Siria - DEMOLA, Anna (ITA)
2. BEZZI, Giulia - ORLANDO, Sara (ITA)
3. SELESOVSKA, Barbora - BIOLKOVA, Brigita (CZE)

Kime No Kata

1. TOMMASI, Enrico - FERRETTI, Yuri (ITA)
2. RIEFFEL, Gregory - LEGER, Philippe (FRA)
3. RYYPPO, Marko - ALALUUKAS, Juha (FIN)

Goshin Jutsu

1. ENGELEN, Yves - CLOSSET, Dimitri (BEL)
2. FREIMUTH, Andreas - SCHMIDT, Eike Alexander (GER)
3. SATO, Marika - POLO, Fabio (ITA)

Source: Marine Stroobants - Photos: Carlos Ferreira

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