Sweden’s Hana Antunovic Excited For Country To Host 2021 European Karate Championships

Fighting to represent one’s country is something that is considered a dream. Something that elevates that is representing your country that is hosting one of the biggest spectacles in karate history. This is what Hana Antunovic expects to do when Sweden hosts the European Karate Championships next year.

Starting in 1966, the European Karate Championships have featured some of the top karate stars from all over. Sweden has only hosted the event once, in 1982. Italy would win team competition while Jerome Atkinson (+80 kg Kumite) and Vic Charles (open Kumite) won gold. With the event returning in 2021 from May 12-16, Antunovic is getting ready to create some moments.

“We haven’t had a championship like this in 40 years, so we are very excited,” Antunovic stated to the World Karate Federation. “I am looking forward to competing in my home ground. It is really a big thing for us here in Sweden. I am looking forward to competing at my home ground, it is going to be very fun. I am training hard!”

Antunovic has managed to turn a few heads over the last few years. She won bronze in the 2018 World Championships and to follow it up, the 28-year-old won the third spot in the final podium under the +68kg Kumite. She beat France’s Anne Laure Florentin 2-0.

The black belt in Shotokan has seen the Karate 1-Premier League get canceled in multiple countries as a result of the coronavirus. Gothenburg will look to have a different feel when it hosts the 56th European Karate Championships. As far as training goes, Antunovic will look to use the home atmosphere to become a better fighter and human being.

“Luckily, we have a beautiful nature here in Sweden, so I can spend a lot of time outdoors,” Antunovic said. “You really have to be positive in these times and be as creative as you can.”