Karateka (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

Karateka is a Spanish sports drama about Sandra Sánchez, a 39-year-old karateka pursuing Olympic gold in Tokyo. With coach and life partner Jesús del Moral supporting her, the film centers on the personal and professional commitment behind her defining competitive goal.

Karateka follows Sandra Sánchez as she approaches what could become the defining test of her sporting career: competing for Olympic gold in Tokyo at the age of 39.

Directed by Aritz Moreno, the Spanish-language drama also focuses on the close partnership between Sánchez and Jesús del Moral, her coach and life partner. Their shared commitment forms the emotional foundation of the story.

Karateka movie details

Story without spoilers

The film centers on Spanish karateka Sandra Sánchez and her determination to reach the top of her sport at a crucial point in her career. With the Tokyo Olympics as her goal, she must continue pushing toward a high-stakes competitive opportunity while balancing the demands surrounding that ambition.

Jesús del Moral remains by her side as both coach and life partner. Their relationship gives the pursuit a shared dimension, presenting Sánchez’s road to the Games not only as an individual challenge but also as a commitment they undertake together.

What to expect

Karateka is identified as a drama, sports drama and biopic. Its premise points to a focused story about elite competition, Olympic ambition and the personal bond between an athlete and the person supporting her professionally and privately.

The film’s central setting is the period leading toward the Tokyo Olympics, with karate and Sánchez’s pursuit of a defining achievement at the heart of the narrative. The supplied details do not indicate whether the film emphasizes competition, preparation or personal life more heavily, so expectations are best kept centered on the overall journey toward Olympic gold.

Cast and creative team

Andrea Ros stars as Sandra Sánchez, while Patrick Criado plays Jesús del Moral. The cast also includes Ernesto Alterio, Antonio Durán 'Morris', Pilar Castro, Eduardo Ferrés, Hoshimi Asai, Elsa Chaves and Pablo Álvarez.

Aritz Moreno directs Karateka from a screenplay credited to Pablo Tobías, David B. Gil and Javier Gullón.

• Andrea Ros as Sandra Sánchez
• Patrick Criado as Jesús del Moral
• Ernesto Alterio
• Antonio Durán 'Morris'
• Pilar Castro
• Eduardo Ferrés
• Hoshimi Asai
• Elsa Chaves
• Pablo Álvarez

Release and production context

Karateka is a 2026 drama from Belgium and Spain, with Spanish as its spoken language. It is listed with a release date of October 30, 2026. The production companies are Señor y Señora, Apache Films, Wrong Men, Colosé Producciones and Atresmedia Cine. No runtime is provided.

Production companies: Señor y Señora, Apache Films, Wrong Men, Colosé Producciones, Atresmedia Cine

Karateka official trailer

Watch the official trailer on YouTube

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With its focus on a veteran athlete’s Olympic ambition and the relationship supporting her pursuit, Karateka frames sporting success as a shared commitment as well as a personal goal. The film’s premise offers a grounded basis for a character-led sports drama built around Sandra Sánchez and Jesús del Moral.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb