Hawaii’s own George Kotaka once again took the gold at what is consider the Olympics in the karate world at the 19th WKF World Karate Championships in Japan.

In addition, he and teammate, Elisa Au, also from Hawaii, were the only two American athletes that medaled on the United States 21 member team, and this placed the US in 8th place out of the 102 countries that participated at this 19th WKF Championships. Kotaka was the only one to receive a gold medal and Au a silver one.

This year’s event was the largest ever featuring over 820 athletes from 102 countries. Kotaka’s win was in the 65kg Men’s Kumite division against his opponent from Hungary, Adam Kovacs. The win came against over 62 competitors in this division. Kotaka himself is from the International Karate Federation (IKF) here in Hawaii, under his father and president of IKF, Shihan Chuzo Kotaka.

In addition to his accomplishments, he is the only American athlete to win two gold medals at the World Championships. George previously brought home the gold medal in 2002. At that time, no American athlete won gold since US first one, 22 years prior.

This gold medal marked the only gold the US Team received at this event.

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