Despite France taking most medals at the Reims Kata Tournament 2024, the overall outcome shows a competitive field is on the rise with the total of five of the following nations claiming at least a gold a piece this weekend: France, Germany, Belgium, Italy and Switzerland.
Starting with the youth, the host nation began with a golden performance during the Nage No Kata Cadet competition where they had rather a great total of 10 entries. As per the juniors, France excelled by default at the Ju No Kata Juniors via Lea DELIN and Emma DELIN. Meanwhile, out of a pool of six, the Aymeric DEBOT – Josselin ESTEVES (FRA) duet won gold in the Nage No Kata Juniors with a final of 358.0 points. A must mention that within the same group, Czechia won bronze through Terezie UBRYOVA – Karolina FLORIANOVA (CZE).
Switzerland bagged gold during the Goshin Jutsu event when Karine STAUFFER IMBODEN – Karine LOY (SUI) claimed a total of 484.0 score, setting France and Canada behind for silver and bronze. The well-known TARABELLI’s (Giovanni and Angelica) triumphed in the Ju No Kata final (408.5), where they marginally overcome French duet Mathieu COULON – Carole HERAS (407.0). Germany’s Immo SCHMIDT – Hendrik SCHMIDT (GER) finished ahead of all 13 pairs in Nage No Kata, marking a total of 398.0 points. Another well established pair, Gregory MARQUES – Stephane BEGA (FRA) delivered the fourth and final gold for the Les Bleus when outclassing all within the Kime No Kata group. When it comes to Katame No Kata the first pair pops in mind would likely to be the Gilon brothers and whilst Belgium remained in glory, this weekend, it was delivered by Yvan BARNICH – Dimitri CLOSSET. Nicolas and Jean-Philippe (the Gilon brothers) have settled for silver. With both pairs having finished on a sum of 369.0 score, as per protocol, the biggest number of medium mistakes were calculated to announce the winner.
As part of the weekend’s success, five new judges have completed their kata judge examination. Having a Swiss gold as well as bronzes from Czechia, Canada and the Netherlands whilst also witnessing a near finalist performance from Luxembourg clearly indicates that the newly established EJU Kata Tour has given a platform to a wider audience, making it a rather exciting Kata Europeans to look forward to this summer. However, their last test or perhaps preparation is yet to be completed with the next stop on the tour: Radom Kata Tournament 2024. See you all in Poland!
Author: Szandra Szogedi