Karate events have returned to Spain following a coronavirus-enforced stoppage ©WKF

Spain has become the latest country to resume its karate events following the lengthy coronavirus-enforced shutdown of sport across the world.

The World Karate Federation (WKF) welcomed the return of national level competitions to the country, initially one of the worst-hit European nations by COVID-19.

Top Spanish karatekas took part in two events last month as part of the National Karate League, which the WKF said "showcased the adaptation of the sport to the new reality".

Guadalajara and Leganes hosted the competitions under a series of strict protocols designed to reduce the risk posed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Sandra Sánchez enjoyed a successful return to competition in Spain as she won both events ©WKF
Sandra Sánchez enjoyed a successful return to competition in Spain as she won both events ©WKF

World champion Sandra Sánchez won the women's kata event at both tournaments, while multiple major medallist and men's kata world ranking leader Damian Quintero triumphed in Leganes.

Karate's return in Spain is set to continue this month with the Clubs National Championship and the underage National Championships.

Spain has recorded more than 1.4 million cases of COVID-19 and at least 39,000 deaths from the novel coronavirus.

Other countries to have resumed their karate events include Belarus, Turkey and Ukraine, while the Nippon Budokan, the venue for the sport at next year's postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, also hosted a competition in October.