By KPC Sports Reporter
The Nyayo National Stadium Indoor Arena erupted on Saturday as Kenya’s karate stars thrilled home fans with a series of standout performances at the Union of African Karate Federations (UFAK) Region East Karate Championships, headlined by a brilliant double-gold display from David Ngati.
Ngati emerged as one of the tournament’s biggest stars after clinching gold in both the Senior Men’s Individual Kata and Team Kata events, underlining Kenya’s growing strength in the discipline.
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The Kenyan karateka first captured the Individual Kata title after defeating compatriot Daniel Vaati in a closely contested final decided by judges’ flags.
Three of the four judges favored Ngati following a technically impressive routine that showcased precision, rhythm and explosive power.
Earlier, he had booked his place in the final by edging Bernard Kinachu in another tightly fought semifinal, also decided by a narrow flag margin.
Ngati completed his golden day in the Team Kata competition, joining forces with Vaati and Kinachu for Kenya B in a thrilling final against Ethiopia.
The Ethiopian team had earlier eliminated Kenya A, but the Kenyan trio responded with a synchronized and highly disciplined performance to secure three judges’ flags against one and claim the title.
Kenya A settled for bronze.
An elated Ngati described the triumph as redemption after missing out on the title at the previous championships in Ethiopia.
“I’m so happy especially with the Kata victory because last time in Ethiopia I lost it. I have been training and aiming to get it and it is my joy that I have made right what went wrong in Ethiopia,” he said.
Ngati added that his ambitions extend beyond the regional stage.
“I have to keep training hard because my dream is to win gold in the African Games and the World Cup as well,” he said.
Kenya’s dominance continued in the women’s events, with Georgina Kanini enjoying a memorable outing. Kanini won gold in the Female Senior Individual Kata ahead of fellow Kenyan Wambui Mwangi, who took silver.
She later doubled her medal haul by defeating Happiness Nyangate 9-6 in the Female Senior Kumite 61kg final to claim a second gold medal.
Madagascar’s Revaconarivo Andhy denied Kenya another title after edging Anna Bosenera in the Female Senior 55kg Kumite final.
Andhy had earlier booked her place in the final with a commanding 10-2 semifinal victory over Helida Otieno.
In the Male Senior 67kg Kumite category, Uganda’s Hidhir Ndikumana narrowly beat Ethiopia’s Natanaen Habtamu Taye 4-3 in one of the day’s most entertaining contests.
The cadet division also delivered plenty of drama. Ethiopia’s Etsubdick Belay defeated Kenya’s Loley Wambui to win the Cadet Kata title, but Wambui later exacted revenge in emphatic fashion.
The Kenyan overwhelmed Belay 5-1 in the Cadet Open Weight Kumite final, delighting the home crowd with a dominant display.
The contest featured several heavy exchanges that sent gumshields flying, but Wambui’s relentless attacks proved decisive as she powered her way to gold.
Ethiopia secured another title in the Male Cadet 52kg Kumite through Tsagagazeab Gosa, who defeated Kenya’s Januaries Wambua 5-2.
Gosa controlled the contest from the outset with sharp kicks and punches, while Wambua’s late rally was not enough to overturn the deficit.
Kenya’s Flavian Kemunto produced one of the most dominant performances of the championships in the Female Junior 59kg Kumite final, crushing Gloria Kanini 9-0 to secure gold.
Kemunto had earlier defeated Janet Washington 5-2 in the semifinals and carried that momentum into a one-sided final.
Throughout the day, the Nyayo Indoor Arena buzzed with energy as Kenyan supporters roared on their athletes.
While chilly weather gripped Nairobi outside, the atmosphere inside the venue was electric, fueled by intense competition and high-quality performances.
For Kenya, the championships served as both a showcase of emerging talent and a statement of regional ambition, with Ngati’s double-gold heroics providing the perfect symbol of the country’s growing influence in East African karate.
