The first stage of the series took place in Gijon, Spain, in January. The Belgian event confirmed the growing popularity and international reach of kata competition within the global judo community.
In Louvain la Neuve, athletes competed across eleven categories, from cadets to seniors. A total of 106 pairs from sixteen countries took part, setting a new participation record for the series. The level of competition was reflected in the diversity of the results, with eleven different nations winning medals.
The event was praised for its excellent organisation, led by Judo Wallonie Bruxelles and its president Frédéric Treuttens, working in close co-operation with Judo Belgium and its president Peter Vermeir. Their joint efforts ensured a smooth and successful competition that welcomed delegations from across the world.
Italy once again demonstrated its strength in kata, finishing as the most successful nation with four gold medals and six silver medals. Host nation Belgium also enjoyed a strong performance, collecting three gold medals. Germany completed the leading trio in the medal table with two gold, two silver and three bronze medals.
Several individual performances stood out during the competition. Belgian brothers Nicolas and Jean Philippe Gillon achieved a remarkable double victory, winning both Katame-no-kata and Kime-no-kata. Another notable achievement came from Italy’s Giovanni Tarabelli, who secured two gold medals with different partners, triumphing in Ju-no-kata and Itsutsu-no-kata.
These results underline the depth and diversity of kata expertise across the international judo family. As the Kata World Series progresses, the performances in Louvain la Neuve will provide valuable momentum for many athletes as they prepare for major events later in the season.
The next stage of the Kata World Series will take place in Laval, Canada, on 4th July. It will be the final event of the series before the World Kata Championships, scheduled in Sarajevo on 26th and 27th September, where the world’s best kata specialists will once again compete for global honours.
RESULTS
Nage-No-Kata Cadet
- PELLEGRINO, Loane - PELLEGRINO, Stella FRA 243.5 points
Nage-No-Kata Junior
- BUCHHOLZ, Jette - DEGENER, Laurenz GER 368.5 points
- JUNKUHN, Colin - KUERSCHNER, Emil GER 358.5 points
- SNEIDAROVA, Anna - MASOPUSTOVA, Ema CZE 349.5 points
Nage-No-Kata
- SCHMIDT, Immo - SCHMIDT, Hendrik GER 391.5 points
- COLLINI, Mauro - RONDININI, Tommaso ITA 387.0 points
- VAN DER HULST, Maik - VAN DER HULST, Kevin NED 384.0 points
Katame-No-Kata Junior
- DONGA, Tristan - VAN DER MEER, Stan NED 380.5 points
- CASETTA, Giada - PIVA, Francesco ITA 371.0 points
- BRASSOI, Krisztina - KOSA, Reka HUN 356.0 points
Katame-No-Kata
- GILON, Nicolas - GILON, Jean Philippe BEL 399.0 points
- FREGNAN, Andrea - CORCIONI, Pietro ITA 391.5 points
- SIKORA, Miriam - STEINERT, Christian GER 388.5 points
Ju-No-Kata Junior
- BEZZI, Giulia - ORLANDO, Sara ITA 386.5 points
- PADALINO, Martina - DE PALMA, Ania ITA 372.0 points
- SELESOVSKA, Barbora - BIOLKOVA, Brigita CZE 363.5 points
Ju-No-Kata
- TARABELLI, Giovanni - TARABELLI, Angelica ITA 403.0 points
- BUGO, Laura - CAIRONE, Martina ITA 392.0 points
- WEINMANN, Helene - WEINMANN, Birgit GER 391.5 points
Kime-No-Kata
- GILON, Nicolas - GILON, Jean Philippe BEL 517.0 points
- TOMMASI, Enrico - FERRETTI, Yuri ITA 513.5 points
- RIEFFEL, Gregory - LEGER, Philippe FRA 510.0 points
Goshin Jutsu
- BARNICH, Yvan - CLOSSET, Dimitri BEL 540.0 points
- FREIMUTH, Andreas - SCHMIDT, Eike Alexander GER 523.0 points
- ORI, Jozsef - LANTOS, Gabor HUN 499.5 points
Koshiki-No-Kata
- TOMMASI, Enrico - COLLINI, Mauro ITA 521.5 points
- KOZMA KOZMA, Tibor - NICOLAS ALONSO, Francisco ESP 498.5 points
- BEGA, Stephane - MARQUES, Gregory FRA 497.5 points
Itsutsu-No-Kata
- TARABELLI, Giovanni - PORTESI, Karol Elia ITA 157.0 points
- DI FILIPPO, David - BOISFER, Christian FRA 155.5 points
- SCHILLIG, Soenke - KROEGER, Johannes Christoph GER 155.5 points
Images © Carlos Ferreira