FIRST GOLD Medal for Cyprus' - Rebecca Economidou

The World Karate Federation (WKF) Karate tournament Karate1 -Youth League 2021, a major karate event hosted by Limassol at the "Spyros Kyprianou" sports center was an absolute success. The event took place between 4th-6th June 2021.

716 athletes competed from 37 countries worldwide while another 300 or so coaches, referees, physios and others accompanied the athletes. The event was hosted at the Limassol Spyros Kyprianou Athletic Center. The event marks the restart of WKF (World Karate Federation) major events worldwide.

After Friday's five bronze medals and Saturday's silver medal, the third and the last day of the tournament was the pinnacle of the event as the Cyprus Team's Rebecca Economidou from the ASAL Karate Team Pareklissia won her first Gold medal. The FIRST EVER in the history of Cyprus Karate.

The 16-year-old athlete won four successive victories against very good opponents, culminating in the semi-final where she defeated her Austrian opponent who had won 3rd and 1st places in previous European championships.

In her statement, the young "karateka" (which has won 6 Pancyprian Gold medals, 3 golds in the WKF Small States of Europe (AMKE) and 3rd position in the Balkan States Championship) said she was very pleased with the result stressing that she competed without stress, she felt good, she had worked hard in training with her coach, while with each victory she gained more confidence until she reached her big goal which was the gold medal. While thanking her coach, her sponsors (Island Oil Holdings and Cyprowealth), her family and the Cyprus Karate Federation, which undertakes such great events, gives Cypriot athletes the opportunity to compete at a very high level and to distinguish themselves.

The President of their association Mr. Charles Charalambous together with the champion Rebecca Economidou

The head coach Sensei Panayiotis Ioannou (A.S.A.L.Karate.Pareklisias),who has been working since the beginning of 16-year-old Rebecca career, for whom she had the best words to say and believes that she can reach even higher with the appropriate support and help, thanking both his family and their sponsors as well as the President of their association Mr Charles Charalambous.

The President of the ASAL Karate club Mr Charles Charalambous stated: "Rebecca's dedication to training over the years has finally paid off. This is the first gold medal for Rebecca and the first ever for Cyprus. I congratulate Rebecca on this major achievement, she deserves every ounce of this gold medal. Rebecca herself is worth her weight in gold!"+

Recognising the efforts of the club's coach, he further stated: "I would also like to congratulate our Head Coach Sensei Panayiotis Ioannou for his dedication to train our athletes to compete at this level while also Sensei Kostas Papadopoulos our Technical Director for his determination to pass on his knowledge and experience guiding through our athletes step-by-step. My sincere appreciation to Sensei Mahia Genethliou Ioannou and co-athletes Arianne, Marina, Jason, Jameson, Kyriacos, and Pavlos and all our ASAL Karate Team. Oss!"