Kosovo’s capital Pristina is hosting the 15th edition of the European Karate Championships for Regions ©EKF

Montenegro ensured they will be represented in the final of both the women’s team kata and women’s team kumite competitions after a productive opening day at the European Karate Championships for Regions in Kosovo’s capital Pristina.

The penultimate round of the women’s team kata event saw Montenegro Two defeat Turkey’s Marmara Region 4-1 at the city’s Sports Hall.

It set up a final with Romania, who overcame Sarajevo Canton 5-0.

Turkey’s Marmara Region secured the bronze medal.

In the women’s team kumite event, Montenegro One earned a place in the final by beating Turkey’s Aegean Region 2-1.

Standing between them and the gold medal are the Swiss Karate Federation, who defeated Central Slovak Karate Union 2-0 in the last four. 

Kosovo A and Turkey’s Aegean Region were crowned the category’s bronze medallists today.

EKF and WKF President Antonio Espinós has claimed European Karate Championships for Regions have been continuously increasing in size and in quality since their inception in 2003 ©WKF
EKF and WKF President Antonio Espinós has claimed European Karate Championships for Regions have been continuously increasing in size and in quality since their inception in 2003 ©WKF

Only two sides are competing in the men’s team kata event meaning those representing the Italian region of Veneto and Turkey’s Marmara Region will automatically contest the final.

The men’s team kumite final pits Turkey’s Mediterranean Region against Macedonia.

Kosovo A were beaten 3-0 by Turkey’s Mediterranean Region in the semi-finals, while Montenegro One lost 2-1 to Macedonia.

Both Kosovo A and Montenegro One went on to clinch the bronze medals.

All finals are scheduled to take place tomorrow.

This year's event marks the 15th edition of the European Karate Championships for Regions.

Antonio Espinós, the President of the European Karate Federation (EKF) and World Karate Federation (WKF), has claimed they have been continuously increasing in size and in quality since their inception in 2003.