The first day of competition at the African Karate Championships concluded with 10 gold medals for Egypt ©WKF

Egyptian world champions Ahlam Youssef and Youssef Badawy successfully defended their continental crowns on the first day of competition at the African Karate Championships in Durban.

Youssef overcame Algeria's Louiza Abouriche in the women's under-55-kilogram final at the Olive Convention Centre to take gold, with bronzes going to the beaten semi-finalists Godfirst Orie Ukoha-Sampson of Nigeria and Tunisia's Chirine Zarrati.

Badawy's success at men's under-84kg weight came courtesy of a victory against the Democratic Republic of Congo's Tshipata Kalala in the final.

Morocco's Nabil Ech-Chaabi and Algeria's Oussama Baha Eddine Zitouni earned the bronze medals.

It was a successful first day for Egypt, who won 10 gold medals across senior, junior and cadet competition.

Ahmed Salama Reem triumphed over Algeria's Cylia Ouikene at women's under-50kg, with Feryal Abdelaziz securing gold in the under-68kg and Menna Shaaban Okila at over-68kg.

Egypt's Youssef Badawy, right, triumphed in the men's kumite under-84kg event at the African Karate Championships ©WKF
Egypt's Youssef Badawy, right, triumphed in the men's kumite under-84kg event at the African Karate Championships ©WKF

Karim Waleed Ghaly provided another Egyptian winner in the men's events in the kata, while Ahmed Aiman Lotfy and Taha Tarek Mahmoud were victorious at under-67kg and over-84kg respectively in kumite respectively.

Morocco picked up six gold medals on the first day, with Aya En-Nesyry in the women's kata joined on top of the podium by Said Oubaya in the men's under-75kg.

Algeria's Chaima Midi in the women's under-61kg was the day's other individual winner.

The African Karate Championships is set to continue tomorrow and on Sunday (December 4).