European Karate Championship – Three Croatians Battling for Medals

Croatian Karate Team is in Montpellier, France, and tree athletes reached the medal battle trough repechage

European karate championship started in Montpellier on May 5, 2016, and good news came from the Croatian team. Maša Martinović (68+ kg category), Ivona Tubić (-68), and Ana Lenard (-61) have the chance to fight for the bronze medal, and all three got their chance through repechage, after losing their battles earlier.

They will get their chance on Saturday, and tomorrow is the day for team events. Male Kata and Female Kumite team are considered contenders for the medal so that will be an exciting day for Croatian Karate on Friday. In the male competition, Anđelo Kvesić has reached quarterfinals of the heavyweight category, and has got a draw against one of the World best fighters, Enes Erkan from Turkey, but has lost by referee voting.

We have written about the problems of funding of the athletes before, and it is to be mentioned that Croatian team has traveled to France by bus, and it took around 20 hours of drive to reach the venue. It is impossible for the athletes to get back in shape after that kind of journey with just a day rest before the beginning of the competition.

Most of the teams get to the venue week before the championships and prepare for the contest at the site. Ivona Tubić had injury problems before the deciding battle, and she has thanked Turkish medical team for helping her to prepare for the decisive match, as Croatian team lacked resources, and they have provided her with the medicine.

It is sad to see Croatian athletes once again missing the chance for fulfilling their potential due to lack of funding. Maybe we should be direct; due to the incompetence of people ruling the Croatian sport.

 

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