With the support of philanthropist Vasyl Kostyuk, on October 4–5 the first Horuna Cup tournament took place at the Halychyna Sports Arena in Lviv, launched by 2020 Olympic bronze medalist Stanislav Horuna in cooperation with the Lviv-based Odyssey Club.
Nearly 500 karateka from 28 karate clubs across Ukraine — including Chernivtsi, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Poltava and Zhytomyr — participated in the Horuna Cup tournament.
The HorunaCup tournament is unique in introducing a new approach to matches. In particular, the main category “Absolute” is not based on the standard three-minute rounds but on rounds that last until one competitor has accumulated seven points. Judging was based on video replays of the matches, which were broadcast to the audience in the hall and streamed online on Megogo Gong. As a result, the matches lasted between two and 18 minutes.
“I want the HorunaCup to become the tournament with great matches,” says legendary Ukrainian karate champion Stanislav Horuna. - “For me, what was important was not so much winning — and even less so participating. For me, winning a medal wasn’t what it was about, but winning the hearts and affections of those watching.”
He adds that the Horuna Cup is intended to draw attention to the spectacular aspects of karate and to make the competition truly engaging for viewers.
The tournament has aroused considerable interest among both martial artists and fans. According to the organizers, there are plans to eventually make the Horuna Cup an international competition and involve other countries — especially Poland and Spain, and even Venezuela — in organizing and hosting it.
