More than 600 karate athletes converged on Padova for the first time as the regional Trofeo Veneto circuit brought competition to the palazzetto dello sport Aldo Travain, Treviso Today reported. The two-day tournament brought together participants across multiple age divisions and featured a dedicated introductory program for competitors with disabilities.
Palazzetto Aldo Travain Hosts Regional Circuit Debut
The weekend competition marked a milestone for the long-running circuit. Established in 2002, the Trofeo Veneto expanded rapidly during its early years before settling into a streamlined schedule, growing to count seven annual stops in 2005 before reducing to two in subsequent seasons. After operating under a sponsorship name from 2016 through 2024, the tournament returned to its original title and added Padova to its circuit map for the first time. The event was organized by the Centro Yoshitaka di Padova in collaboration with the Nenrjukan Karate di Isola Vicentina and the comitato regionale veneto della Fijlkam, with the patrocinio del Comune di Padova. An official presentation of the event was held on Monday, October 19, at Palazzo Moroni, featuring figures including Marijan Pecirep, Franco Destro, and Carlo Pendini, where sports councillor Diego Bonavina greeted guests and emphasized the growth of combat sports.
Sports Officials Attend Weekend Event
National and regional sports officials attended the weekend event, including Fijlkam national karate sector president Davide Benetello, who serves as vice president of the World Karate Federation. They were joined by Padova sports councillor Diego Bonavina, regional karate president Marijan Pecirep, national parakarate commission president Luca Nicosanti, and CONI Padova delegate Enrico Boni. During the opening ceremony, organizers presented commemorative plaques to Benetello, Bonavina, and special guest Giacomo Filippo Turcato.
Al via il Trofeo Veneto Karate 2026, l'appuntamento il 24 e il 25 ottobre https://t.co/KgtTEK5XZm https://t.co/JVgi8jE8S3
World Champion Appearance Highlights Opening Weekend
Turcato, a competitor for Castelfranco Veneto’s Germinal Sport Target and a member of Italy’s national team, appeared during the late morning session on Sunday, October 25, 2026. His visit followed a gold-medal victory in the team kata event at the youth world championships held in Bielsko-Biała, Poland.
Tournament Draws Athletes from Multiple Regions
Franco Destro, technical director of the Padova-based Centro Yoshitaka and organizational director for the event, pointed to the broad geographical draw of the tournament. Destro also highlighted that the competition allows younger or less experienced athletes to test themselves against more experienced opponents in simpler, accessible categories. «We would like to thank the Municipality of Padova for its availability: Fijlkam karate has always found an open door from the municipal administration when it comes to organizing karate competitions in city sports facilities,» Destro added. Organizers aim to cement the event’s role as a benchmark for Veneto and neighboring regions, with the institutional support of Palazzo Moroni and the Municipality highlighting the social value these events bring to local neighborhoods and communities.
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