Two Gold Medals at the 25th FSKA World Karate Championships in Portugal - Almada 14–16 November 2025

From 14 to 16 November 2025, the 25th FSKA (Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association) World Karate Championships took place in Almada, Portugal. The event brought together karate competitors to compete in kata and kumite, showcasing their skills, dedication and fighting spirit.

Our three-members team returned from Portugal with two gold medals, valuable competition experience and unforgettable memories.

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The Journey to Portugal 
As usual, our trip began with an early-morning meeting at London Luton Airport. Personally, I love travelling early in the morning, as it allows us to make the most of the day ahead and gives us more time to explore our destination. This time, our SKC team consisted of three competitors: Jacek Lipiński, Maja Wachal and Nikola Wachal.

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After a short flight, we landed in Lisbon at around 1:00 pm. From there, we took an Uber to Almada, approximately 20 kilometres away. Once we arrived, we checked into our hotel and attended the technical registration, where our documents were verified and the required competition fees were paid.

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We spent the rest of the day exploring this beautiful coastal town and preparing for the competitions ahead. In the evening, we enjoyed a meal at a local restaurant before returning to the hotel for some well-deserved rest.The only downside to our trip was the weather. Strong winds and rain made it difficult to fully enjoy the Portuguese coastline. Fortunately, the weather did nothing to dampen our spirits or our determination to perform at our best.

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Two Days of Competition and Sporting Excitement
The following two days were filled with intense competition in both kata and kumite. The championships demanded not only technical ability and physical fitness, but also concentration, composure and mental strength.
After a series of exciting moments and challenging bouts, we were delighted to achieve an excellent result.

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Our team brought home two gold medals!
The first gold medal was won by me, Jacek Lipiński, in individual kumite. After several demanding bouts, I managed to overcome my opponents and secure a place on the top step of the podium.

Winning a gold medal at a World Championship is an incredibly rewarding achievement and recognition of the hard work, dedication and countless hours of training invested in karate.

The second gold medal went to Nikola Wachal in individual kumite, who also delivered an outstanding performance and demonstrated her skills on the international stage.

This time, Maja Wachal returned home without a medal. However, that does not make her participation any less valuable. Every competition provides an opportunity to learn, test our abilities and identify areas for improvement. The experience she gained in Portugal will undoubtedly benefit her at future tournaments and contribute to her continued development as a karateka.

In sport, success is not always measured by the medals we win. Perseverance, the ability to handle pressure and the determination to keep improving are equally important parts of the journey.

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A Well-Organised World Championship

The 25th FSKA World Karate Championships were organised to a high standard. Taking part in an event of this calibre provides an excellent opportunity to compete against athletes from different countries, exchange experiences and continue developing our Shotokan karate skills.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to Shihan Jose Chagas for organising the championships and giving us the opportunity to participate in this outstanding event.
My appreciation also goes to Hanshi Kyle Funakoshi and Kevin Funakoshi, who oversaw the event.

Championships like these play an important role in the development of karate and in bringing the international karate community together. They allow competitors to gain valuable experience, learn from others and find further motivation to continue training and pursuing new goals.

Back to London and Preparing for the Next Challenge

Following the conclusion of the championships, we returned to London, bringing our Portuguese adventure to an end. However, we will not be resting for long. New competitions, fresh goals and further challenges lie ahead, and we have already begun preparing for our next appearances on the competition mat. Our trip to Almada ended with two gold medals, a great sense of achievement and many wonderful memories. For Nikola and me, the championships brought success on the tatami, while for Maja, they provided another important step towards future achievements. Two gold medals, three individual experiences and one shared goal: continuous improvement and future success. 

We would like to thank everyone who supports us on this journey. We look forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.