Karate: World Kimura Shukokai Championship-I surprised myself with my performance – silver medallist Valentin |14 June 2006

Valentin captured her silver medal in the kumite event of the girls’ under-20 category to better the bronze medal won by Bernard Cafrine in the individual kata of the veteran brown belt division in South Africa two years ago.

In fact, Valentin’s inclusion in the under-20 category was a mistake as the 17-year-old should have fought in the under-18 division.

“We tried to change the category as soon as we arrived in Finland but we were not successful. I was even told to either compete in the under-20 category or sit out. So I decided to give it a try,” Valentin told Sports Nation.

Nonetheless, she made it all the way to the final.

After receiving a bye in the first round, Valentin faced German Henshke Claudia in her opening bout. She got past the German on a 2-1 score before eliminating Finland’s Tina Nikinen 3-2 in the semifinal. She missed a golden opportunity to become world champion after losing her final clash 3-4 to Mozambican Acia Amade.

According to Valentin, she was the first to score in the fight that finished 3-3 after normal time.

Extra-time was needed and the first to score was to be declared the winner. In the end, the Mozambican karateka scored first to grab the gold medal.

“I am really proud of myself, especially because I fought in a higher category. I kind of surprised myself with my performance as the competition was of a really high standard,” she added.

It is to note that Amade was a double gold medallist after also dominating the kata event, eliminating Valentin in the quarterfinal on a 3-0 score.

In the men’s event, Jocelin Cupidon (+80kg category), Steven Freminot (-70kg category) and Christopher Hoareau (heavyweight category) were all eliminated at the first hurdle in the kata event.

Cupidon narrowly lost 1-2 to Edgar Pascal of Switzerland, Freminot received a bye straight to the quarterfinal but lost 0-3 to Swiss Karakok Dangel and Hoareau lost by the same margin to Britain’s Paul Stephens in the first round on the veteran heavyweight division.
Sports Nation only learned on Monday that Bernard Cafrine, bronze medallist two years ago, did not participate in the 2006 edition of the competition due to last minute complications.

As for Gabriel Victor, he made the trip to Finland but did not compete.

G. J.