Tunisian karateka Wafa Mahjoub, competing in the -61 kg category, has secured a bronze medal after facing a defeat in the semi-finals against Moroccan competitor Ben Chebab Sawssan with a score of 0-7. This match took place on Saturday during the Rabat stage of the Karate One-Premier League, which commenced on Friday in Morocco. Throughout the tournament, Mahjoub showcased her exceptional skills by dominating Group 6, achieving a flawless record with victories over Egyptian Noursine Ali (8-4), Latvian Girvica Beata (4-4 with Senshu advantage), and German Doaa Rabhi (8-0). However, she did settle for a draw against Belarusian Azarava Maryia (0-0).
Unfortunately, her fellow compatriots, Israa Bettaieb (-68 kg) and Chahinaz Jami (-68 kg), did not advance to the quarter-finals, marking a challenging outing for the Tunisian team. It is noteworthy that the Tunisian delegation at the Rabat stage of the Karate One-Premier League, which represents the final event of the global circuit for 2026, included three athletes: Wafa Mahjoub (-61 kg), Israa Bettaieb (-68 kg), and Chahinaz Jami (-68 kg).
The Karate One-Premier League features four annual stages, and the Tunisian team has previously participated in events in Istanbul in January and Rome in March, although they opted out of the Leshan stage in China held in April. The Rabat stage serves as the season finale. This league is designed for karatekas ranked beyond the 32nd position in their respective weight categories, providing a significant opportunity to earn points for improving their international standings.
Looking ahead, the Tunisian representatives have several upcoming events scheduled for this year, including the World Championships for cadets, juniors, and U21 (both men and women) set to take place in October in Bologna, Italy. Additionally, they will compete in the African Senior Championships slated for September 2026 in Oran, Algeria, alongside the Mediterranean Games in Taranto, Italy, also happening that month.
As reported by lapresse.tn.
