Algerian wrestler Louiza Abouriche has clinched the gold medal in the World Martial Arts Karate Championships (men and women under 21), currently being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (October 20-21). Abouriche secured her victory on Friday by defeating Kazakhstan’s Bella Smasheva in the final of the under 55 kg category. In a separate event, her compatriot Celia Wikan (50 kg) won the silver medal after losing in the final to Colombian athlete Sofia Cardenas Paz.
Abouriche, hailing from the city of Freha in the Tizi Ouzou province, reached the final by defeating France’s Lovatchi Teil with a score of 1-0 in the semifinals. Meanwhile, Smasheva secured her place in the final by overcoming Australia’s Georgie Lawrence in the other semifinal match in the same weight category.
Celia Wikan, on the other hand, advanced to the final by defeating Cyprus’s Eirini Konto with a convincing score of 3-0 in the semifinals, only to face defeat in the final against Colombia’s Sofia Cardenas Paz.
As of now, Algeria has won two medals in these World Martial Arts Championships, with the hope of a third and final one as Khadija Glama competes later.
A total of 96 wrestlers from 42 different countries are participating in the karate competition at the World Martial Arts Championships. This event is a part of the larger World Martial Arts Games, the largest multi-discipline sporting event with over 1,500 athletes from more than 120 countries competing in 15 different sports, including judo, wrestling, boxing, fencing, taekwondo, and more.
