CAIRO – Egyptian karatekas commanded the spotlight at the 2025 World Karate 1-Premier League in Cairo, delivering an exceptional performance that propelled the host nation to the top of the medal table.
The prestigious event, hosted at the covered hall of Cairo International Stadium from April 18 to 20, brought together 384 top-tier athletes representing 67 nations, culminating in an action-packed finale that showcased the spirit, discipline, and intensity of elite-level karate.
With an impressive tally of 11 medals—four gold, two silver, and five bronze—Team Egypt showcased its rising prominence in the global karate arena, asserting itself as a growing powerhouse in the sport, surpassing Japan — a country with a distinguished legacy in karate — which secured two.
This year’s edition marked a significant milestone in Egypt’s expanding reputation as a premier destination for international competitions, following the success of the January 2023 Karate 1-Premier League, also held at the same venue.
Minister extends congratulations
Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, Egypt’s Minister of Youth and Sports, congratulated the Egyptian athletes on their exceptional performance at the World Karate League, where they claimed first place.
He expressed profound pride in the national team’s achievement, describing it as a testament to the significant progress of Egyptian sports and the steadfast support of the country’s leadership.
Dr. Sobhi also conveyed his satisfaction with Egypt’s successful hosting of the World Karate Premier League, one of the most prestigious events on the global karate calendar.
The tournament’s stature was underscored by the participation of the top 32 male and female athletes in the international rankings, affirming its prominence on the agenda of the International Karate Federation.
He further emphasized that the Federation’s confidence in Egypt’s organizational excellence and advanced infrastructure played a vital role in the country’s ability to host this major international event.
Dr. Sobhi further fostered stronger sports cooperation by hosting the International Karate Federation, led by President Antonio Espinos at the Ministry of Youth and Sports in the New Administrative Capital. Espinos, along with his delegation, also toured Egypt’s Olympic City and the New Administrative Capital’s sports city, expressing admiration for Egypt’s modern sports infrastructure.
Standout performances
Egypt’s impressive medal haul was led by stellar performances in several weight divisions.
Taha Tarek (+84 kg), Youssef Emad (-84 kg), Abdullah Hisham (-75 kg), and Haidy Hisham (+68 kg) each clinched gold, showcasing technical excellence and unyielding focus.
Silver medals were awarded to Mena Shaaban (+68 kg) and Ziad Al-Ghareeb (-60 kg).
Bronze medals went to Omar Osman (84 kg), Abdullah Mamdouh (75 kg), Reem Ahmed Ramzi (-50 kg), Rahma Talba (61 kg), and Noursin Ali (61 kg), reflecting Egypt’s depth in both the men’s and women’s competitions.
Mohamed Dahrawy, President of the Egyptian Karate Federation and Executive Committee member of the World Karate Federation, lauded the team’s exceptional performance. “This achievement is heroic and inspiring,” Dahrawy said.
“It reflects years of dedication, preparation, and the remarkable evolution of Egyptian karate on the global stage,” Dahrawy added.
“I am incredibly proud of our athletes’ determination and the efforts of the technical and administrative staff who prepared them so thoroughly.”
Abdel Fattah Al-Najjar, head coach of Egypt’s national karate team, praised the technical prowess and physical readiness of the athletes following their standout performance in the World League.
Al-Najjar hailed the team’s display as nothing short of exceptional, as Egypt clinched a historic milestone by topping the overall standings — a feat that saw them outshine global powerhouses in the sport.
He credited the achievement to the players’ strong morale and fighting spirit throughout the tournament, along with the steadfast backing of the federation’s board.
The veteran coach also pointed to the wide acclaim the event received from international delegations, praising the flawless organization as another win for Egyptian sports on the world stage.
Looking ahead, Al-Najjar promised fans that the team’s hunger for medals is far from over, with eyes firmly set on more podium finishes in upcoming competitions.
A premier global event
The Karate 1-Premier League is one of the sport’s most prestigious competitions, featuring the top 32 ranked karatekas in each weight class.
Gold medalists earn 1,200 global ranking points, a crucial step toward qualifying for the 2025 World Senior Championships, which will be hosted in Egypt this November.
Team Egypt’s impressive roster, which includes prominent names such as Abdullah Mamdouh, Amr Alaa, Ali al-Sawy, and Olympic champion Ferial Ashraf, underscored the nation’s competitive strength and potential for future success.
Team line-up
Men’s Team: Abdullah Mamdouh, Abdullah Hisham, Amr Alaa, Ziad Ali, Youssef Emad, Adam Al-Laythi, Ali al-Sawy, Taha Tarek, Hassan Mohamed, Hazem Mohamed, Adel Imara, Omar Ashraf.
Women’s Team: Ferial Ashraf, Janna Ali, Noursin Ali, Rimas Asi, Mirna Atiya, Salma Hassan, Habiba Helmy, Hadeer Hindi, Aya Hisham, Janna Khamis, Habiba Moussa, Reem Salama, Rahma Talba, Ahlam Hamdy.
