Belgian karate athlete Amine Abdelmalek has been crowned world champion in the Under-21 category after winning the gold medal in the men's under-60 kg division at the World Cadet, Junior and U21 Karate Championships, held in Bielsko-Biała, Poland, from October 14 to 18, 2026.

Abdelmalek defeated Mexico’s Daniel Alejandro Cruz Romero 5–4 in a closely contested final, securing victory by a single point to claim the world title.

In a report published on October 18, the World Karate Federation (WKF) confirmed the Belgian athlete’s victory in the under-60 kg final. It noted that Abdelmalek had won his first U21 world gold medal, improving on the silver medal he secured at the previous World Championships in Venice, Italy, two years earlier.

According to Belgian media outlet Qu4tre Liège Média, Abdelmalek also made history by becoming the first Belgian athlete to win a world title in the Under-21 karate category.

He reached the podium after competing in five bouts, displaying composure and consistent performance throughout the championship before securing victory in the final.

The achievement marks an important milestone in Abdelmalek’s sporting career. Having turned his previous silver medal into gold, he has established himself as one of the most promising young talents in international karate.