Karate One Premier League 2026 Season to Reach Its Grand Finale in Rabat
The 2026 season of the Karate One Premier League, karate’s first-class international competition series, will come to an exciting conclusion next week in Rabat, Morocco. Following three thrilling even
The 2026 season of the Karate One Premier League, karate’s first-class international competition series, will come to an exciting conclusion next week in Rabat, Morocco. Following three thrilling events in Istanbul, Türkiye; Rome, Italy; and Leshan, China, the world's top karate athletes will gather for the final event of the season that will not only celebrate the excellence and values of karate, but it will also determine the new Grand Winners.
Emotions are expected to run high until the final day, as most categories remain undecided. Only two athletes have mathematically secured the first position in the standings and guaranteed the Grand Winner award before arriving in Rabat: Japan’sKakeru Nishiyamain Male Kata and Kazakhstan’sSofya Berultsevain Female Kumite +68kg.
In all other categories, the quest for the Grand Winner title remains wide open. InMale Kumite -60kg,Japan’sHiromu Hashimotoand Türkiye’sNuri Kilicwill fight for the top spot in the standings.
The race inMale Kumite -67kgis equally competitive, withIurik Ogannisian(WKF-1),Yugo Kozakiof Japan, and Italy'sLuca Marescaall still in contention for the season crown.
InMale Kumite -75kg,Enes Bulutof Türkiye enters Rabat as one of the leading candidates, alongside Belgium’sQuentin Mahauden, Ukraine’sHeorhii Pitsul and Japan’sYusei Sakiyama.
The Grand Winner award inMale Kumite -84kgwill be decided betweenEduard Gasparian(WKF-1),Rikito Shimadaof Japan, Egypt’sOmar Osmanand Jordan’sMohamad Aljafari.
InMale Kumite +84kg,the contest is down to Chile’sRodrigo RojasandIvan Kudzinau(Belarus).
The fight for first place inFemale Kumite -50kgfeatures Algeria’sCylia Ouikene, Venezuela’sYorgelis Salazarand Germany’sShara Hubrich.
InFemale Kumite -55kg,Nejra Sipovicof Bosnia and Herzegovina,Bella Samashevaof Kazakhstan andNina Kvasnicovaof Slovakia remain in the running for Grand Winner honours.
Female Kumite -61kgwill see Japan’sSarara Shimada,Türkiye’sFatma Naz Yenenand Kazakhstan’sAssel Kanaycompeting for the top position in the standings.
One of the closest races of the season comes inFemale Kumite -68kg,where France’sThalya Sombe,Aleksandra Meshkova(WKF-1), Ukraine’sElina Sieliemienieva, Morocco’sNisrine Brouk,Egypt’sHadir Hendyand Azerbaijan’sIrina Zaretskaall have a chance to finish the season as Grand Winner.
InFemale Kata,Hong Kong, China'sMo Sheung Grace Lauand Japan’sMaho Onowill compete for the season’s top honour.
With valuable ranking points still available and Grand Winner honours at stake, Rabat promises a dramatic finish to one of the most thrilling Karate One Premier League seasons in recent years.
Following the conclusion of the competition, the season’s top athletes will be celebrated during the Grand Winners Gala, which will be held at the official headquarters hotel, Amphitrite Palace, where the 2026 Grand Winners will be formally recognised.
2026 KARATE ONE PREMIER LEAGUE RABAT