From May 23 to 25, 2025, the vibrant city of Tashkent, Uzbekistan, welcomes Asia’s elite karate athletes for the prestigious AKF Senior Championships. Held at the impressive Yunusobod Sport Complex, this event continues Uzbekistan’s tradition of hosting major karate tournaments, having previously organized successful championships in 2019 and 2022.
This year’s championship sees an impressive turnout, with over 400 competitors from 29 Asian countries gathering to vie for continental titles. This marks an increase from the previous edition held in Hangzhou, China, where 355 athletes from 30 countries participated. Clearly, the event’s popularity and competitiveness continue to rise year after year.
Athletes compete fiercely not only for medals but also for coveted spots at the upcoming World Senior Individual Championships scheduled for November 2025 in Cairo, Egypt. This year’s competition in Tashkent is particularly crucial, as gold, silver, and the highest-ranked bronze medalists from each category will directly qualify for the world championships, amplifying the intensity and stakes of each match.
Japan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan are among the standout nations expected to dominate, given their strong performances in previous tournaments. However, fierce competition is expected from rising powers such as Iran, Jordan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The AKF Senior Championships have become a cornerstone event in the karate calendar, reflecting the growing popularity and global reach of the sport. Following the successful editions in Hangzhou in 2024 and Melaka in 2023, Tashkent’s event promises thrilling action, showcasing the pinnacle of karate skill, discipline, and athletic prowess.
Karate enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await the outcomes, as athletes not only battle for regional pride but also aim to leave their mark on the global stage by qualifying for the prestigious world championships in Cairo later this year.
Results
| Category | Gold Medalist | Silver Medalist | Bronze Medalists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Female Kata | Lau Mo Sheung Grace (Hong Kong, China) | Ono Maho (Japan) | Nguyen Ngoc Tram (Vietnam), Tao Yiwei (China) |
| Female Kumite -50 kg | Alimardanova Gulshan (Uzbekistan) | Chandran Shahmalarani (Malaysia) | Bahmanyar Sara (Iran), Zhangbyrbay Moldir (Kazakhstan) |
| Female Kumite -55 kg | Hoang Thi My Tam (Vietnam) | Saadati Fateme (Iran) | Wei Yuchun (China), Alisha Alisha (India) |
| Female Kumite -61 kg | Golshadnezhad Atousa (Iran) | Otaboyeva Sevinch (Uzbekistan) | Shimada Sarara (Japan), Kanay Assel (Kazakhstan) |
| Female Kumite -68 kg | Darenskaya Daiyana (Kazakhstan) | Kama Tsubasa (Japan) | Wong Cheuk Lee (Hong Kong, China), Jadhav Bhuvaneshwari Suresh (India) |
| Female Kumite +68 kg | Berultseva Sofya (Kazakhstan) | Sugita Sumire (Japan) | Khakimjonova Mokhlaroyim (Uzbekistan), Naser Yara (Jordan) |
| Category | Gold Medalist | Silver Medalist | Bronze Medalists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male Kata | Nishiyama Kakeru (Japan) | Almosawi Sayed Salman (Kuwait) | Chen Chao-Ching (Chinese Taipei), Edbert Setiabudi Christopher (Indonesia) |
| Male Kumite -55 kg | Bigabyl Zholaman (Kazakhstan) | Qosimov Sobitxon (Uzbekistan) | Kaliana Sundram Thevendran (Malaysia), Haimour Abdel Rahman (Jordan) |
| Male Kumite -60 kg | Muekthong Siwakon (Thailand) | Hashimoto Hiromu (Japan) | Shaaban Abdullah (Kuwait), Kalykov Bekzhan (Kyrgyzstan) |
| Male Kumite -67 kg | Kozaki Yugo (Japan) | Alassiri Mohammed (Saudi Arabia) | Shih Cheng-Chung (Chinese Taipei), Rashidov Abdul Vakhkhob (Uzbekistan) |
| Male Kumite -75 kg | Azhikanov Nurkanat (Kazakhstan) | Nemati Morteza (Iran) | Al Najjar Saeed (Jordan), Mukhammadiyev Kuvonchbek (Uzbekistan) |
| Male Kumite -84 kg | Aljafari Mohammad (Jordan) | Shimada Rikito (Japan) | Pan Che-En (Chinese Taipei), Yuldashev Daniyar (Kazakhstan) |
| Male Kumite +84 kg | Sufyani Sanad (Saudi Arabia) | Kangtong Teerawat (Thailand) | Ulbek Dias (Kazakhstan), Yoshimura Fumiya (Japan) |