Kosovar Karateka representing Albania, Orge Arifi, qualified for the final of the European championship which takes place in Yerevan, Armenia.
By qualifying for the European Championship final, Arifi obtained at least the silver medal. But Arifi targets the gold medal in the main continental event.
Arifi, in the 60 -kilo category, experienced a good journey to the final.
Arifi won the first 2: 1 fight against Montenegrin Karateka Balsa Vojinović. During the second fight, he beat the Czech Martin Drabek 4: 2, while he eliminated the Spaniard Urko Velasco Primicia in the third round. He beat it 1: 0. In the semi-finals, he eliminated the Karateka from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Against the Kenan Siljak Kenan Karateka, Arifi won 5: 3.
Arifi, 29, will participate in the European final for the second consecutive time. Last year, he won a silver medal at the European Karate Championships that held in Zadar, Croatia.
The silver medal won by the Pristina karateka was the greatest success of her career.
Arifi had won the European silver medal five years after leaving Kosovo and returned to Albania. He left Kosovo with several other karatekas, invoking insufficient support and inappropriate treatment on the part of the Karate Federation.
Arges Arifi, for the second consecutive time in the final of the European Championship. An inspiring example of determination and talent. After four spectacular victories against representatives of Montenegro, the Czech Republic, Spain and in the semi-finals against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Arifi managed to reach the European Championship final for the second consecutive time. The ARF team thanks the whole team and wishes Orges a lot of success for the final of tomorrow.
In the final, Arifi will face the Russian Akhed Akhmedov. Russian Akhmedov competes under the flag of the European Karate Federation (EKF).
-Russian karateka has eliminated Kosovar karateka, Islam Selmani, in the semi-finals.
Selmani, 19, experienced a good journey to the semi-finals.
He won the round after beating the Scottish Adam Hamill, 4: 2. He won convincingly the second fight. He won a 9: 1 victory against Romanian Mario Petre. In the third round, Selmani eliminated the Greek Christos-Stefanos Xenos. But, in the semi-finals, he lost against Russian Akhmedov.
Selmani fights for the bronze medal on Saturday. His opponent will be the Armenian Yura Zalyan. Betim Maliqi is also fighting for a bronze medal. Maliqi, who contributes in the category of under 75 kilos, will face the Italian Daniele de Vivo in the match for the bronze medal.
“We hope to come back from Armenia with a medal. This is also our goal, ”said Isak Curri, Kosovo Karate coach.
In 2022, Selmani won the gold medal at the European, junior and U21 European championships.
SHPRESIM Shabani, who plays in the 67 -kilo category, was arrested from his first fight. He was free at the first round, but was arrested in the second fight. He lost 4: 2 against the Karateka Latton Atur Stepanov.
Redona Gashi, in the 50 kilos category, was arrested from the first fight by the Bosnia and Herzegovina competitor. Lost 4: 1.
Anila Foniqi, who contributes up to 55 kilos, lost during the first fight against the German Mia Bitsch, while at the draft she also underwent a defeat against the Scottish Amy Connell.
Kosovo will also participate in team competitions.
