Garda Karate Team: successes and challenges in youth karate

The Garda Karate Team enthusiastically participated in the 10th International Nachwuchscup & Para-Karatecup, held on September 20, 2025, in Salzburg, Austria. This event, organized by the Salzburger Karateverband at the Walserfeldhalle, featured 33 teams and a total of 447 registrations from various European countries, making it a significant occasion for youth sports. The Garda Karate Team stood out as the only Italian team present, allowing its ten young athletes to compete in Kata and Kumite according to the official WKF (World Karate Federation) rules. The event also included a section dedicated to Para-Karate, emphasizing the importance of inclusion in sports. The results achieved by the GKT members were commendable: notable achievements included gold medals won by Fanti Gioele and Locatelli Alessio in Para-Karate, and by Viviani Francesca in the U14 -42 kg category. Although some athletes did not reach the podium, the team leaders highlighted how this experience was crucial for the personal and technical growth of the participants, enriching their experiential knowledge through competition with opponents from diverse sporting cultures. Italian Version