The World Karate Federation (WKF) global rankings highlight the pinnacle of achievement in karate. As the year comes to a close, the rankings showcase athletes who have excelled across 12 categories. Points are earned through outstanding performances in the most significant WKF competitions, solidifying these karatekas' status as the best in their respective disciplines.

Female Kata: Mo Sheung Grace Lau (HKG)

Mo Sheung Grace Lau from Hong Kong ranks first in the female kata category with 6660.00 points. As the current continental champion and World Championship silver medalist, Lau surpassed Grand Winner Maho Ono from Japan to claim the top spot.

Lau concludes the year with medals in all her international appearances, including gold medals at the Karate 1-Premier League in Antalya and the continental championships.

Female Kumite -50kg: Yorgelis Salazar (VEN)

Yorgelis Salazar from Venezuela leads the female Kumite -50kg category. A World Championship bronze medalist and six-time Karate 1-Premier League winner, Salazar's consistent performances have earned her a 450-point advantage over Moldir Zhangbyrbay of Kazakhstan, the current Grand Winner and World Champion.

A two-time continental champion, Salazar claimed two gold medals in 2024, along with titles at the Karate 1-Premier League events in Paris and Casablanca.

Female Kumite -55kg: Anzhelika Terliuga (UKR)

Anzhelika Terliuga from Ukraine dominates the female Kumite -55kg category with an impressive lead of 1,080 points. A three-time continental champion, she has maintained her position ahead of Valentina Toro from Chile, the current Grand Winner.

Terliuga managed to retain the top spot in the rankings despite not reaching the podium in three international appearances this season.

Female Kumite -61kg: Reem Khamis (GER)

Reem Khamis from Germany holds the top spot in the female Kumite -61kg rankings. A European Championship bronze medalist and Grand Winner, Khamis leads with a 690-point advantage over China's World Champion Li Gong in this always competitive category.

The 2023 continental champion secured a gold medal at the Karate 1-Premier League in Cairo and bronze medals at three other Karate 1-Premier League events throughout the year.

Female Kumite -68kg: Irina Zaretska (AZE)

Irina Zaretska from Azerbaijan maintains her position as the leader in the female Kumite -68kg category. The reigning World Champion holds an 885-point advantage over Elena Quirici of Switzerland, the Grand Winner and World Championship silver medalist.

As the dominant figure in this category, Zaretska retained her top spot in the rankings despite being absent from the international scene due to pregnancy.

Female Kumite +68kg: Sofya Berultseva (KAZ)

Sofya Berultseva from Kazakhstan leads the female Kumite +68kg category with a narrow 105-point advantage. The Olympic silver medalist edges ahead of María Torres from Spain, the Grand Winner and World Championship silver medalist.

A four-time Karate 1-Premier League winner, Berultseva claimed silver at the Karate 1-Premier League in Casablanca and bronze medals at the Karate 1-Premier League events in Antalya and Cairo, as well as at the continental championships.

Male Kata: Kakeru Nishiyama (JPN)

Kakeru Nishiyama from Japan dominates the male kata rankings with a significant lead of 3,225 points. As the current Grand Winner, Nishiyama has surpassed Ariel Torres from the United States, the continental champion.

Nishiyama claimed gold medals at all four Karate 1-Premier League events this season, as well as at the continental championships.

Male Kumite -60kg: Hiromu Hashimoto (JPN)

Hiromu Hashimoto from Japan holds the top spot in the male Kumite -60kg category. As the Grand Winner and continental champion, Hashimoto leads with a 690-point advantage over Abdullah Shaban from Kuwait, a two-time continental champion.

A rising star in karate, Hashimoto concludes the year with gold medals at the Karate 1-Premier League in Casablanca and the continental championships, along with silver medals at the Karate 1-Premier League events in Paris and Cairo.

Male Kumite -67kg: Abdel Rahman Almasatfa (JOR)

Abdel Rahman Almasatfa from Jordan leads the male Kumite -67kg category with a 585-point advantage. As the current continental champion, Almasatfa has surpassed Morocco’s Said Oubaya, the Grand Winner.

An Olympian and four-time continental champion from Jordan, Almasatfa secured gold medals in all three of his international appearances this year: at the Karate 1-Premier League events in Cairo and Casablanca, as well as at the continental championships.

Male Kumite -75kg: Abdalla Abdelaziz (EGY)

Abdalla Abdelaziz from Egypt dominates the male Kumite -75kg category. As the Grand Winner, continental, and world champion, Abdelaziz holds an impressive 3,165-point lead over Nurkanat Azhikanov from Kazakhstan, the continental champion.

Abdelaziz has excelled this year, winning gold medals in all his appearances at major competitions, including four Karate 1-Premier League tournaments and the continental championships.

Male Kumite -84kg: Mohammad Aljafari (JOR)

Mohammad Aljafari from Jordan holds the top spot in the male Kumite -84kg category. A World Championship bronze medalist and World U21 Championship runner-up, Aljafari leads with a 615-point advantage over Yusef Badawi from Egypt, the Grand Winner, continental, and world champion.

This promising karateka won gold medals at the U21 continental championships and the Karate 1-Premier League in Cairo, as well as silver medals at the U21 World Championship and the Karate 1-Premier League in Antalya.

Male Kumite +84kg: Taha Tarek Mahmoud (EGY)

Taha Tarek Mahmoud from Egypt tops the rankings in the male Kumite +84kg category. With a 1,995-point lead, Mahmoud holds a significant advantage over Anes Bostandžić from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the U21 World Championship runner-up.

A Grand Winner in this category, Mahmoud claimed a gold medal at the Karate 1-Premier League in Paris, as well as silver medals at the Karate 1-Premier League events in Antalya, Cairo, and Casablanca, as well as at the continental championships.