In another step towards transcending into kata greatness, world number one e-kata karateka James De Los Santos showed his wares in his most recent championship conquest.
The 30-year-old veteran internationalist carved a huge, narrow win over Olympic-ranked and World Karate Federation-seeded Nagy Botond of Hungary in the 4th Katana Intercontinental Karate League E-Tournament. He earned his 25th overall gold in the 2020 SportData e-Kata World Series, with results coming Tuesday afternoon.
De Los Santos edged out the Hungarian, 24.9 of Unsu over 24.5 in Ohan Dai, in the finals for the title, his second straight in the Katana series. Nagy is currently ranked number 39 in the WKF world rankings and is 24th for its Olympic rankings.
“I would have to admit that this match meant a lot to me because my final opponent is Hungary’s best senior male kata player,” the two-time ISKF world champion shared on his Facebook post. “Even though I emerged victoriously, it was a very tough fight and an honor to be facing a kata player of such caliber.
“This is a very memorable 25th gold win.”
De Los Santos earlier took down Norway’s Cornelius Johnsen, 24.5 in Gojushiho Dai against 23.4 of Ohan Dai, in the quarterfinals.
He then defeated Slovenia’s Nejc Strenisa in the last four, 24.9-23.3, both using Sansai, to take his place in yet another final.
Nagy earlier led the field in the seeding pool with 24.7, with De Los Santos not far behind with 24.4 in second.
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