The Moroccan karate team won a total of 18 medals (5 gold, 5 silver, and 8 bronze) at the African Karate Championship, held in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, from July 25 to 27.
Competing in the senior, junior, and cadet categories, Moroccan athletes secured second place overall, behind Egypt in first place and ahead of Senegal in third.
Gold medals were claimed by Jannat El Kbari (Cadet -47kg), Jihane Bahajjou (Junior Kumite +66kg), Salah Koubidy (Junior Kumite +76kg), the girls’ kata team, and the boys’ kata team.
In a statement to MAP, Salah Mesnaoui, Technical Director of the Royal Moroccan Karate Federation and Associated Disciplines, hailed the team’s strong performance, highlighted by 18 medals and the qualification of seven Moroccan karatekas for the World Karate Championships (Seniors) to be held in Egypt next November.
"These results confirm that Morocco is among the top karate teams on the African stage,” said Mesnaoui, noting that the Federation will continue its efforts to build on this success in upcoming competitions.
For his part, Morocco’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Moha Ouali Tagma, praised the outstanding participation of Moroccan athletes who "raised the national flag high during this sporting event," while commending the quality of the team’s technical coaching, which enabled an impressive showing at this highly competitive continental championship.
The African Karate Championship, the final qualifying stage for the upcoming Senior World Championships in Cairo, brought together more than 400 athletes in cadet, junior, and senior categories from 28 countries.
MAP: 28 July 2025
