Morocco’s national karate team outdid itself on Sunday on the third and last day of the African karate championships held at the Mohammed V Complex in Casablanca, bringing the Kingdom’s total medals to 33 — 17 gold, 7 silver, and 9 bronze.
Morocco ousted Egypt and Tunisia in several categories. Here are the recipients of some of the medals:
In the junior under 61 kg category, Morocco’s Samir Sadini took the top step of the podium, beating Egypt’s Yasin Hassen in the final. His compatriot Mohammed-Amine Badjou, competing in the under 68 kg (junior) category, won the gold medal after beating Egyptian Ahmed Abouelrous.
In the under 76 kg category, Morocco’s Salah-Eddine El Bahry took the gold after beating the other Egyptian, Youssef Farag, while Morocco’s Doae Choukri (under 59 kg) was crowned African champion ousting Tunisia’s Ranim Ben Hassen.
In the junior over 66 kg category, Aya Labid won the continental title over Tunisia’s Meriame Ettaleb.
Silver medals went to Moroccan athletes Douaa El Machouat (-48 kg/juniors) and Nejma Imitik (-53 kg juniors).
Bronze medals went to Marwane Tchich (juniors/-55kg), Othmane Hebbal (juniors/+76kg), and the senior men’s team.
Morocco’s Karate Federation (FRMKDA) held the tournament under the auspices of the World Karate Federation (WKF). The event featured around 1000 athletes, coaches, technical staff, and referees from more than 27 countries.