Algerian Radio
Algerian karateka Cylia Ouikene qualified on Friday for the final of the "Karate One Premier League Lishui" (China) in the Kumite (-50 kg) category, after a dominant and impressive performance. She is set to face Venezuela's Yorgelis Salazar in the gold medal showdown.
During the group stage, the World Number One launched her campaign flawlessly, starting with a 3-0 victory over Russia's Valeriya Sergeyeva, followed by a crushing 10-0 win against Taiwan's Hsiao Yun-chen, securing her place in the quarter-finals.
In the quarter-finals, Ouikene displayed great technical control to overcome Germany's Shara Hubrich in a closely contested bout (2-1). The Algerian champion then confirmed her rising form in the semi-finals with a clear 5-1 victory over Croatia's Ema Sgardelli, a two-time European champion, delivering a top-tier performance.
In the final, Ouikene will meet her Venezuelan rival Yorgelis Salazar, a formidable and experienced opponent on the international stage, promising a high-stakes battle for the gold medal.
Ouikene, who previously secured a silver medal at the "Karate 1 Premier League Rome," continues to prove her consistency at the top of the world rankings and her ambition to remain among the elite.
The China leg marks the third major event of the 2026 Karate 1 Premier League season, bringing together the world's elite karateka. The Kumite (-50 kg) final offers Cylia Ouikene another opportunity to consolidate her status as a global benchmark and fly the Algerian flag high.
