On the karate mat, Joni Tophuria breathes slowly before beginning his routine. The Georgian para-karate athlete crosses his arms over his chest, throws a “tsuki” punch and maneuvers his wheelchair.
The athlete, wearing a white uniform known as a “karategi,” shouts to end his performance at the 2022 European Karate Championships in Gaziantep, Turkey, where he won the bronze medal in the K30 men’s wheelchair category.
In 2012, Tophuria was injured in a mine blast in Afghanistan, where he went as a member of the International Security Assistance Force. As a result, both of his lower limbs were amputated and he also suffered various injuries.
While he tried various sports after his injury, including para rowing and hand cycling, the sport he was most interested in was para karate, although he knew nothing about it. By meeting his future trainer, Gocha Surmanidze, Tophuria’s successful journey in para-karate began.
“I got an offer [from Surmanidze to start the sport] and was interested in it. I then accepted that offer and started practicing to the best of my ability,” he said.
Meet Joni Tophuria 🇬🇪, war hero, multisport champion and newly proclaimed Para Karate European Medalist
FULL STORY 👉 https://t.co/HEUEWJPcra#Karate 🥋 #EuroKarate2022 #ParaKarate pic.twitter.com/Eq8oBPk50t
— World Karate Federation 🥋 (@worldkarate_wkf) May 27, 2022
Passionate about Para Karate
Para Karate incorporates the ancient discipline of “kata” and sees athletes performing a series of choreographed defensive and offensive moves.
Athletes receive points based on their technical performance, which includes their transitional movements, proper timing and breathing, and athletic performance, which is based on their power, speed and balance.
“Performing a kata is a great pleasure for me. When people look at me, I feel like they like my performance and I get the utmost respect from them,” Tophuria said. “My goal and thought during my competition is simply to win.”
Tophuria says that “systematic training” is one of the keys to success in Para Karate. @WKF
master the sport
The coach-athlete duo has achieved great success despite only meeting three years ago. While the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a number of competitions to be postponed, Tophuria has already found fame in Georgia by winning the national championships.
“I mastered the power of kata and achieved success in such a short amount of time,” he said, thanking his coach for his efforts in making him one of the top para-karate athletes in the world.
“I am so grateful to him. He made my life more interesting and fundamental,” Tophuria added.
So what are his goals now?
First, he wants to win the European Championship after finishing behind gold medalist Ahmadov Eldar of Azerbaijan and silver medalist Yanguez Santalla Vicente of Spain. Spain’s Sepulcre Fuentes Juan Antonio was the other bronze medalist in the men’s wheelchair event.
But Tophuria also wants to take it to the next level and win the gold medal at the World Championships and see the sport make its debut at the Paralympic Games.
“Every success is important and I’m happy that my hard work is appreciated and recognized,” said Tophuria.
Para-karate competitions sanctioned by the World Karate Federation have events for athletes with visual impairments, intellectual disabilities, and athletes using wheelchairs.
The #EuroKarate2022 wheelchair competition was truly memorable. Relive the highlights of the finals and get inspired by these amazing para karate athletes! #Karate 🥋 #ParaKarate pic.twitter.com/Eate5veKfy
— World Karate Federation 🥋 (@worldkarate_wkf) June 2, 2022
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