TEHRAN – Saleh Abazari defeated Sajad Ganjzadeh 6-2 to win a gold medal at the 2023 Karate 1-Series held in Matosinhos, Portugal.

The final of Male Kumite +84kg was an All-Iran affair since two athletes from the Asian country fought for gold.

Olympic gold medalist Ganzjadeh had defeated Germany’s Nikolai Sekot in the semifinals 9-1 while teammate Saleh Abazari emerged victorious over Kazakhstan’s Dias Anarbekov 6-1.

Iranian female karate athlete Mobina Kavyani lost to Croatia’s Lea Vukoja 9-3 and failed to win a bronze medal.

The tournament featured participants from 72 countries over three days.