Khawla Ouhammad, right, pictured competing in 2015, was among the Moroccan winners today ©WKF

Morocco claimed two gold medals today as the Karate-1 Premier League event opened with action in both kata and kumite events at the Prince Moualy Abdellah Venue in Rabat.

Khawla Ouhammad was a dominant winner in the under 50 kilograms kumite sparring category as she overcame North African rival Eva Jemal of Tunisia.

Imane Lkraidi secured a second home medal by sharing the bronze medal with Estela Benita Lopez of Spain, who was representing the University of Valencia.

Aya Nassiri was similarly successful in claiming the gold medal in the women's kata competition, beating Spanish-born Jaime Sandra Sanchez, who was representing United Arab Emirates' Al Ahli Club in Dubai. 

Agalmam Sanae and Rajae Ez-ZGhary each gained further bronze medals for the host nation.

A third Moroccan success came in the under 55kg kumite division where Oumaima El Absi beat Slovakia's Viktoria Semanikova in the final.

Damian Quintero claimed gold as part of the Al Ahli Club Dubai team ©Getty Images
Damian Quintero claimed gold as part of the Al Ahli Club Dubai team ©Getty Images

Slovakia also gained a top position on the podium when Ingrida Suchankova claimed under 61kg kumite honours after beating host nation fighter Zahra Errabi Fatima in the final.

Another Spanish-born fighter representing the UAE claimed men's kata success as Damian Quintero beat Bilal Benkacem of Morocco in the final.

Saudi Arabia gained three under 60kg kumite medals as Emad Al Malki beat Abullah Alharbi in the final.

Abdulhadi Al Malki shared bronze with Morocco's Mohammed Taoussi.

Khalid Alshaikhi also claimed Saudi gold in the under 75kg division with victory over Reda Messaoudi of Morocco.

Bashar Alnajjar of Jordan took the under 67kg title on a day of success for the Arab world, beating Italian opponent Francesco D'Onofrio in the final.

Action will continue in the heavier kumite divisions tomorrow.