Pamplona is preparing to host the Karate World Cup 2024, the first Wkf (World karate federation) world tournament dedicated only to teams. Between kata and kumite, male and female, there will be 80 participating teams, 20 for each category competing. Taking place from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 November, the event will bring together the best teams in the world, ready to compete to win the world title. In total, there are 43 participating nations, coming from all five continents: 37 from Europe, 18 from Asia, 12 from the Americas, 11 from Africa and two from Oceania.
Italy challenges the reigning champions
The reigning champions are Japan, holder of the titles in the men’s and women’s kata; Spain, host country and champion in women’s kumite; Jordan, title holder in men’s kumite. The Italian national team is one of the few to have qualified all four teams, one for each discipline. Like us only Japan, Egypt, Türkiye, Spain and France. The collegiate gathering at the Matteo Pellicone Olympic Center in Ostia will end tonight and tomorrow morning – November 20th – they will all be traveling to the Spanish city.
All the blues competing
Men’s kata team: Mattia Busato, Gianluca Gallo and Alessandro Iodice.
Female kata team: Terryana D’Onofrio, Elena Roversi and Michela Rizzo.
Women’s kumite team: Viola Lallo, Giulia Angelucci, Anna Pia Desiderio, Pamela Bodei, Clio Ferracuti.
Men’s kumite team: Luca Maresca, Daniele De Vivo, Amhed El Sharaby, Lorenzo Pietromarchi, Michele Martina, Matteo Fiore, Matteo Avanzini, Andrea Minardi.
Technical director Valdesi: “Very difficult challenge, I expect great results”
“We are at full strength and we have qualified all four teams through the last European and World Championships – the words of the technical director of the national team Luca Valdesi – The teams are doing very well, on an athletic level and in terms of morale. The race is very difficult but there is a very positive atmosphere. We have held several meetings in recent months to better address this fundamental commitment. We are sure that all four teams will give their best and can achieve great results. The race is very tough, it’s a World Championship where only the best have truly qualified. The expectation is to be able to go home with a smile, then each race is something in itself.”
Italy’s results at the last World Cup
These are the results of the teams at the last European and World Championships: in kata the women’s team presents itself as vice champion of the world and Europe; the men’s kata team, however, with a double bronze. In kumite, the boys come as continental champions and third-placed champions in the world, while the girls come as European vice-champions.
The competition calendar includes two days of preliminaries, from the initial round, through the quarterfinals and up to the semi-finals; then a day dedicated entirely to the finals for bronze and gold. We therefore start on Friday 22nd with the men’s kata and the women’s kumite; we continue on Saturday 23rd with the women’s kata and the men’s kumite; it ends on Sunday 24th with the challenges valid for the title and the world podiums.
Where to watch the 2024 Karate World Cup
The first two days will be broadcast on the Wkf YouTube channel. The finals day, Sunday 24th, will instead be broadcast on Sky. The first part, from 11.00 to 13.00, on Sky Sport Max; the second, from 3.00pm to 6.00pm, on Sky Sport Calcio (consult the schedule to find out whether on channel 257 or 258). Alessia Coppola Neri will provide technical commentary.
