Hong Kong karateka Grace Lau claimed her eighth straight international title on Sunday, defeating Japanese rival Maho Ono 7-0 in the final of the World Karate Federation Karate One-Premier League Rome station.
The world No. 1 in women's kata faced the world No. 2 Ono in the final for the eighth consecutive tournament over the past year, winning every encounter. Both athletes performed the same kata "Chatanyara Kushanku," with judges unanimously awarding Lau the victory.
Lau's dominance began in the group stage, where she topped her pool after defeating Italy's Carola Casale, Portugal's Natacha Fernandes, and Canada's Claudia Laos-Loo. She then cruised past local favorite Elena Roversi 7-0 in the quarter-finals before a tense 4-3 semi-final victory over Japan's Kiri Mishima.
The 2025 season marks Lau's first competing in the "gold-embroidery gi" as reigning world champion and year-end No. 1. The Rome triumph adds to her impressive streak that includes world championships (November), Asian championships (May), World University Games (July), and Karate One-Premier League titles.
The victory builds momentum ahead of September's Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.
