Surprising Finalists Emerge on Opening Day of Karate One Premier League Leshan

The third stop of the 2026 Karate One Premier League opened with strong action in Leshan, China, as athletes clashed to secure places in six finals. With points critical in the race for the Grand Winners title, the event is one of the most anticipated tournaments of the year. Up-and-coming karatekas surprised with qualification to the finals.

Female Kata: Maho Ono to face Grace Lau in classic rematchMaho Ono of Japan moved into the final with a clear 7-0 win over teammate Hisami Nakaji. On the other side, Grace Lau Mo Sheung of Hong Kong, China, beat Japan’s Kiri Mishima 6-1. The final will repeat one of the sport’s most familiar match-ups. Both athletes showed control and precision, and their rivalry now adds another chapter on one of the biggest stages.

Male Kumite -60kg: Nuri Kilic returns to final against Hiromu HashimotoNuri Kilic of Türkiye secured his place with a strong 16-8 victory over Abdallah Hammad. Hiromu Hashimoto of Japan edged a tight bout against Mekhriddin Turakhonov, winning 3-2. Kilic reaches his second final of the season and looks to go one step further after silver in Istanbul. Hashimoto, a former Grand Winner, aims for a fifth title after missing gold in Rome.

Female Kumite -50kg: Cylia Oukine and Yorgelis Salazar on collision courseCylia Oukine of Algeria defeated Ema Sgardelli 5-1 to book her place in the final. Yorgelis Salazar of Venezuela followed with a 7-3 win over Mizuki Ishihara. Oukine continues her steady rise after podium finishes in Istanbul and Rome and now targets a major title. Salazar, already a winner in Rome, is chasing her eighth Premier League gold.

Male Kumite -67kg: Abdul Vakhkhob Rashidov reaches first final, meets Luca MarescaAbdul Vakhkhob Rashidov of Uzbekistan claimed a 3-1 win over Olzhas Altynbek to reach his first Premier League final. Luca Maresca of Italy defeated Iurik Oganisian 2-0. Rashidov builds on his bronze from Rome, while Maresca enters his sixth final, still chasing consistency after collecting two bronze medals this season.

Female Kumite -55kg: Valeriya Dimova shocks field, Yuchun Wei lifts home crowdValeriya Dimova of WKF-1 advanced with a narrow 2-1 win over Rezzan Im Zumra. Yuchun Wei of China beat Nejra Sipovic 3-2 to reach the final. Dimova’s run is one of the surprises of the day as she enters her first major final. Wei becomes a local favorite, giving fans a home athlete to support in the title bout.

Male Kumite -75kg: Nurkanat Azhikanov and Enes Bulut set final showdownNurkanat Azhikanov of Kazakhstan defeated Ernest Sharafutdinov 5-3 to return to the final stage. Enes Bulut of Türkiye secured his place with a 3-0 win over Andrii Zaplitnyi. Azhikanov aims to reclaim the title he last won in 2022. Bulut, with one previous final, looks to improve on his silver medal from 2024.

The opening day in Leshan delivered clear statements from top contenders and rising names. With six finals now set, the fight for gold—and valuable points in the Grand Winners race—moves into its decisive phase.

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2026 KARATE ONE PREMIER LEAGUE LESHAN