Seven women and six men from the National Senior Team for the World Karate Championships in Kielce. On Friday, during a press conference, they were officially presented to the general public.
– We have great competitors who have already proved their high level, won medals at many world events – says shihan Remigiusz Karpiński, president of the Polish Karate Federation Shinkyokushinkai. – Today we invite you to Poland, to Kielce, the whole world of karate and we will present them our organizational possibilities.
The National Team of Seniors for the World Karate Championships in Kielce:
bottom row from the left: Monika Zielińska from Warsaw, Agata Winiarska from Wrocław, Marta Lubos from Tarnowskie Góry, Anna Bojda from Wrocław, Anna Bielska from Konstancin-Jeziorna, Monika Podora from Radzionków, Natalia Chrzanowska from Wrocław
top row from the left: coach Bogdan Lubos, coach Jacek Lamot, Marek Wolny from Tarnowskie Góry, Maciej Mazur from Warsaw, Igor Lamot from Wrocław, Daniel Sternik from Konstancin-Jeziorna, Marek Odzeniak from Warsaw, Kamil Berkowicz from Wrocław, coaches Paweł Orysiak and Mariusz Mazur.
The National Team of Seniors at the 7th World Karate Championships in Weight Categories in Kielce consists of:
1. Monika Podora from Radzionków in Silesia, 8 years in the team, bronze and fifth place at the European Championships
2. Natalia Chrzanowska from Wrocław, 2 years in the national team, won three medals at the European Championships, in the last one – in 2022 – she won silver
3. Anna Bielska from Konstancin-Jeziorna, 10 years in the team and a lot of medals, mainly from the European Championships, but also from the world tournaments
4. Marta Lubos from Tarnowskie Góry, 14 years in the team, multiple medalist at the European Championships, also won bronze at the World Championships
5. Monika Zielińska from Warsaw, 10 years in the team, five-time European Champion
6. Agata Winiarska from Wrocław, 13 years in the team, owner of gold and silver medals of the European and world championships
7. Anna Bojda from Wrocław, 10 years in the team, silver medalist of the last European Championships
8. Daniel Sternik from Konstancin – Jeziorna, 11 years in the team, bronze medalist of the European Championships 2022
9. Igor Lamot from Wrocław, 13 years old in the team, won bronze medals at the European championship three times
10. Kamil Berkowicz from Wrocław, first year in the team, already won a bronze medal at the 2022 European Championships
11. Marek Odzeniak from Warsaw, 12 years in the team, bronze medalist of the European Championships of the Karate World Union
12. Marek Wolny from Tarnowskie Góry, 12 years in the team, the owner of numerous bronze medals of the European and world championships
13. Maciej Mazur from Warsaw, 10 years in the team, multiple gold medalist of the European Championships and vice-champion of the world in 2019 in open category.
The coaching staff is managed by shihan Bogdan Lubos from Tarnowskie Góry, the coaches are also shihan Jacek Lamot from Wrocław, sensei Paweł Orysiak from Konstancin-Jeziorna, shihan Mariusz Mazur from Warsaw and shihan Krzysztof Habraszka.
The team started the training camp on Friday. The competitors will not only work on strength, coordination and skills, but also develop combat tactics.
The Championships are promoting Kielce and the Świętokrzyskie region
During the press conference, the representatives of organizers – shihan Remigiusz Karpiński, president of PFKS, sensei Tomasz Kęcko and sensei Waldemar Kęcko – heads of the Organizing Committee, emphasized that there is a hot time ahead of the team. – The team, here in Kielce, is working hard to prepare for such an important event. Halls are being prepared, logistics and technical works are underway, and all facilities are being created, thanks to which 1,200 people from all over the world will feel comfortable here – they said.
In turn, representatives of the co-organizing institutions emphasized that the World Karate Championships also promote Kielce and Świętokrzyskie in the international arena. – We are very pleased that you will represent Poland, and thus our voivodeship – Marek Bogusławski, Vice-Marshal of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, addressed the karatekas – We are glad that Kielce, the capital of our region, will become the point on the world map that will host players from all over the globe. Thanks to this, we will be able to boast about the beauty of Świętokrzyskie.
– I am convinced that the World Karate Championships will be a success story for our team. I hope that you and everyone who will come to Świętokrzyskie during this time, and it will be 1,200 people, will be able to see the charming corners of our region. And after the championships, you will want to come here for longer and visit the Świętokrzyskie Province. Today I wish you only victories – said Tomasz Jamka, member of the board of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship.
On behalf of himself and the President of the City of Kielce, Bogdan Wenta, the Deputy Mayor Marcin Chłodnicki took the floor. – The organization of the World Karate Championships, presence of the national team here, is an honor for our city, but also a commitment because the eyes of the karate world will be on our city. We work with the organizing committee to deliver an event at the highest level. I wish the team satisfaction with the fights fought in the Legions Hall, and I wish the viewers a great spectacle – emphasized Marcin Chłodnicki.
– I see thirteen medalists here today, we keep our fingers crossed for you – said Andrzej Pruś, advisor to the Świętokrzyskie Voivode – This is a very important event for Świętokrzyskie and the City of Kielce, since Kielce is a sport focused city. We have a top-class soccer team, a champion handball team, and karate will reign supreme here in September. I wish you great success.
– All of Kielce and all karate supporters will keep their fingers crossed for you – said Łukasz Korus, who was represented by the Deputy Minister of Sport and Tourism Anna Krupka.
In turn, the director of the office of the president of Kielce, Sławomir Stachura, explained that for the president of Kielce, Bogdan Wenta, these championships have a special dimension, not only because of the sports spirit. Years ago, President Wenta’s son trained this martial art and won medals all over Poland – On behalf of the President of the City of Kielce, Bogdan Wenta, and my own, I wish you to make your dreams come true at this championships, and I assure everyone that there is a no bigger show than the world-class karate championship. There will be great emotions – emphasized director Stachura.
The 7th World Karate Championships in Weight Categories will be held in Kielce, in the Legions Hall, on September 22-29. The event includes top-level competitions that will take place on September 24 and 25, as well as a general meeting of the World Karate Organization and the Shinkyokushinkai World Karate Seminar. About 1,200 people from all over the world will come to Kielce, including the most outstanding karate champions from 40 countries.
