Japan’s two-time world champion Kiyou Shimizu continued her domination of the Female Kata category at the Karate 1-Series A in Guadalajara ©WKF

Japan’s two-time world champion Kiyou Shimizu continued her domination of the female kata category as she secured her third successive gold on the international stage at the inaugural stop of the Karate 1-Series A in Guadalajara in

While Japan topped the medal table with 15 awards, including four golds, at the Polideportivo Multiusos sports hall there were also successes for the hosts, and for Turkey on the concluding day.

Kiyou defeated team-mate Hikaru Ono 4-1 in an all-Japan final thus claiming her 13th gold in international competitions.

The representatives of the birth nation of the sport extended their winning streak in kata competitions since the gold medal in the male event also ended in Japanese’s hands.

Kazumasa Moto defeated local hero Damian Quintero 4-1 in the final, his first triumph in major competitions.

The hosts finished the tournament on a high note, though, as Samy Ennkhaili Anqoud reached the top of the podium in his first final in major competitions after defeating Muhammet Ali Yilmaz of Turkey in a roller-coaster of a final of male kumite under 67 kilogams.

Laura Palacio also delighted the home crowd with her victory over Finland’s Titta Keinanen.

The 2014 World Championships bronze medallist won the final by "hantei" - the referee signalling to the judges their choice of winner - after it had finished scoreless and claimed her first medal in nearly two years.

Samy Ennkhaili Anqoud earned a highly popular home win, one of two Spanish gold medals, along with Laura Palacio, on the concluding day, at the Karate 1-Series A in Guadalajara ©WKF
Samy Ennkhaili Anqoud earned a highly popular home win, one of two Spanish gold medals, along with Laura Palacio, on the concluding day, at the Karate 1-Series A in Guadalajara ©WKF

"Most international tournaments are away from home, and you don’t get to compete in front of family and friends," the 30-year-old Palacio said. 

"Now they are all here, especially my mom, so for me, it is great that I could win."

Japan’s Miho Miyahara dominated the female kumite under 50kg competition, taking her third consecutive gold medal with a 5-1 win over Büşra Tosun of Turkey.

Brazil’s two-time world champion Douglas Brose won gold with a a 1-0 victory in male kumite under 60kg over Michael Dasoul of Belgium.

"I am very happy because I could finally get the gold after four finals," Brose said.

"Now I start preparing for the Karate 1-Premier League in Dubai."

Ukraine's Stanislav Horuna overpowered Matias Rodriguez of Chile in the final of the male kumite under 75kg.

Gold medals for Turkey were claimed by Tuba Yakan, who defeated Jennifer Warling of Luxembourg 1-0 in the female kumite under 55kg, and by Merve Çoban, who convincingly beat Karina Diaz of Dominican Republic 4-1 in the female kumite under 61kg.

Belgium’s Luana Debatty’s gold in the female kumite under 68kg, Netherland’s Tyron Lardy’s victory in the male kumite over 68kg, and Ukraine’s Valeri Chobotar’s triumph in the male kumite under 68kg completed the list of gold medallists in Guadalajara.