Three medals in karate at the European Games

With the impressive tally of three medals, i.e. two silver and one bronze, the Greek karate delegation started at the European Games in Poland, with Dionysis, Stefanos Xeno and Georgina Xeno taking the first medals of the entire Greek delegation in Krakow.

Dionysis Xenos in the -67k KUMITE category reached the second highest step of the podium. In the first phase he overcame the obstacles of Pissino (Switzerland), Tatissi (Hungary) with two victories, which secured him a place in the medals.

In the semi-final, Dionysis Xenos made a show of strength against Roumanos Komanescu (6-1) and in the match for the gold he was invited to face Azero Agalarzada, to whom he had lost in the first round. Azeros played defense and attacked a few seconds before the end. He did not manage to get a point, but the judges’ decision (hansoku) gave the gold to Agalarzada.

Stefanos Xenos easily defeated Guligev (Azerbaijan), Kwasniewski (Poland) in the -60k KUMITE in the first round and was defeated by the Turkish “silver” Olympic champion and world champion, Erai Samdan.

In the semi-final, Stefanos Xenos overcame the obstacle of the Ukrainian Filipov and in the final he found Samdan again. With the score at 2-2 and luck, the Turk took the gold by decision of the judges.

Georgina Xenou in KATA emerged second in her pool, as she achieved two victories and lost only to the very strong Spaniard, Garthia Lothano. In the semi-final, she faced the French Thaili and lost the qualification by an infinitesimal margin. Georgina Xenou was rated 42.30, but her opponent received 42.50.