The 2024 Mediterranean Championships in Olbia, Italy, concluded this week with host nation Italy securing the top spot on the medal table. Italian athletes clinched 26 gold medals, demonstrating dominance across multiple categories. Spain and Greece followed closely, rounding out the top three. The event showcased high-level competition in both kata and kumite disciplines, along with strong performances in team events.

Female kata: Winner: Raquel Roy of Spain

Raquel Roy of Spain delivered a remarkable performance in the female kata final, outscoring Italy's Orsola Donofrio 24.90 to 24.00.

Female kumite -50 kg: Winner: Emma Colletti of Italy

In the -50 kg female kumite category, Italy’s Emma Colletti dominated Kosovo's Redona Gashi, claiming victory with a decisive 6-0 score.  

Female kumite -55 kg: Winner: Viola Lallo of Italy

Viola Lallo added to Italy’s medal haul in the -55 kg kumite, edging out her compatriot Rebecca Ortu in a tightly contested 2-1 match.

Female kumite -61 kg: Winner: Indira Zuniga of Spain

Indira Zuniga of Spain put on an impressive display in the -61 kg female kumite final, defeating Croatia's Mia Cacko 6-0.  

Female kumite -68 kg: Winner: Sadea Becirovic of Croatia

Croatia’s Sadea Becirovic claimed gold in the -68 kg female kumite final, narrowly defeating fellow Croatian Lea Vukoja 3-2 in a closely fought contest.  

Female kumite 68+ kg: Winner: Kyriaki Kydonaki of Greece

In the +68 kg category, Kyriaki Kydonaki of Greece battled Spain’s Maria Torres to a 6-5 victory. The high-scoring bout saw Kydonaki edge out Torres, securing Greece's first gold of the championships.

Female team kata: Winner: Italy

The Italian female team kata squad delivered a near-flawless performance, defeating France with a score of 24.90 to 24.00.  

Female team kumite seniors: Winner: Italy 2

Italy’s second team in the senior female team kumite category triumphed over Kosova A with a 2-0 victory, adding one more gold to the host country.

Male kata: Winner: Mattia Busato of Italy   

Mattia Busato secured gold in the male kata final, narrowly beating fellow Italian Guido Polsinelli 25.10 to 24.70.  

Male kumite -60 kg: Winner: Fabrizio Giordano of Italy   

Fabrizio Giordano continued Italy’s winning streak in the -60 kg male kumite final, defeating Christian Sabatino 2-0.  

Male kumite -67 kg: Winner: Luca Maresca of Italy

Luca Maresca dominated the -67 kg male kumite final with an 8-1 victory over fellow Italian Raffaele Astarita. 

Male kumite -75 kg: Winner: Daniele De Vivo of Italy   

In the -75 kg kumite final, Daniele De Vivo of Italy cruised to a 6-0 win over Evangelos Seremetakis of Greece. De Vivo’s dominance in the bout further solidified Italy’s supremacy in the competition.

Male kumite -84 kg: Winner: Matteo Fiore of Italy   

Matteo Fiore added another gold for Italy in the -84 kg kumite category, defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Hamza Turulja 2-0. Fiore’s calculated approach kept Turulja at bay throughout the match.

Male kumite 84+ kg: Winner: Ivan Kvesic of Croatia   

Ivan Kvesic of Croatia secured a resounding 8-0 victory over Libya’s Nuri Abdulsalam in the +84 kg male kumite final. Kvesic’s powerful performance ensured Croatia's second gold of the day.

Male team kata: Winner: Italy    

Italy’s male team kata squad outperformed France in the final, winning 24.90 to 23.90. Their technique and coordination earned Italy yet another gold medal in the kata division.

Male team kumite seniors: Winner: Italy   

In the senior male team kumite final, Italy bested Spain 3-0, capping off a dominant showing in the team events.  

Cadet and Junior divisions 

Italy also excelled in the cadet and junior divisions, earning eight gold medals in the cadet categories, followed by Portugal with three golds. In the junior divisions, Italy and Spain led the way, winning five and four golds respectively.

Beach kata

The competition also featured beach kata categories, with Terryna Donofrio of Italy winning the female division and Alessio Ghinami of Italy taking home gold in the male division.

Italy’s performance in Olbia reaffirmed their status as a karate powerhouse, leaving a lasting impression at the 2024 Mediterranean Championships.