Japan's Kiyou Shimizu won the female kata at the WKF Karate1-Premier League in Rabat ©Getty Images

Japan won gold medals in the male and female kata finals at the World Karate Federation (WKF) Karate1-Premier League in Rabat. 

World champion Ryo Kiyuna clinched the male kata, defeating long-standing rival Damian Quintero of Spain in the final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah venue,

Kiyuna acheived a score of 28.2 points to Quintero's 26.88.

It was also a Japan-Spain final in the women's kata, with Kiyou Shimizu triumphing against Sandra Sanchez.

The two-time world champion just edged past her opponent, scoring 27.48 to Sanchez's 27.26.

Elsewhere, Turkey’s Serap Özçelik claimed her third Karate1-Premier League title this season.

She won against Egypt's Radwa Sayed in the female kumite under-55 kilograms final.

"I am very happy because I could get my third gold medal in Karate 1-Premier League this year," Özçelik said.

Ukraine won three gold medals on the final day of the WKF Karate1-Premier League in Rabat ©WKF
Ukraine won three gold medals on the final day of the WKF Karate1-Premier League in Rabat ©WKF

Ukraine had a successful day with three gold medals as the sport continues its preparations for its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020. 

the first earned by Anzhelika Terliuga in the female kumite under-55kg.

She recorded a 5-2 victory against Tzu-Yun Wen of Chinese Taipei.

Her compatriot Stanislav Horuna took Ukraine's second gold medal in the male kumite under-75kg against Iran's Ali Asghar Asiabari, narrowly winning 9-8.

It was also a close encounter in the male kumite under-84kg, which saw Ukraine's Valerii Chobotar defeat Japan's Ryutaro Araga 4-3.

Today's finals concluded the action with the next Karate1-Premier League event due to take place in Shanghai from June 7 to 9.