Georgia is hosting European junior karate championship for first time with 1200 athletes participating

Georgia’s capital city of Tbilisi is hosting the European Cadet, Junior and U21 Championships for the first time, with about 1200 athletes from 49 countries participating in the tournament.

Georgian Sports Minister Thea Tsulukiani, Antonio Espinós, the President of the World Karate Federation and the European Karate Federation and Leri Khabelov, the  President of the National Olympic Committee of Georgia, as well as the President of the National Karate Federation of Georgia Temur Gignadze, attended the opening ceremony of the championship.

Tsulukiani addressed the guests of the ceremony and wished success to the young athletes participating in the event, the Sports Ministry said.

As part of the ceremony, Gogita Arkania, the Georgian karate fighter and the two-time World Champion, two-time European Games and European Championship bronze medalist, as well as the 2020 Tokyo Olympics participant, solemnly ended his career at the age of 39.

The Ministry also said Tsulukiani had discussed prospects of future cooperation with Espinós and Gignadze at the meeting held on the sidelines of the event.

Twenty-six athletes are representing Georgia at the championship, that runs from Friday till Sunday.