By P. Chandra Sagaran
The war between the United States of America and Iran had forced some foreign karate exponents to skip the 22nd International Okinawa Goju- Ryu Ipoh City Open Karate Championship held at Arena Badminton Perak MBI on May 8 to 10.
Organising Chairman Datuk Dr Jasvinder Singh said:that the number of foreign participation reduced this year due to the war while another factor is the hike in prices of flight tickets.
“However the competition still attracted participants from overseas,” he added.
Among the countries who sent their competitors were India, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Singapore, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Apart from them some 600 Malaysia exponents from clubs in Perak, Kedah, Selangor, Klang, Johor Bahru,, Parit Buntar and Penang also took part.
According to Jasvinder the local teams used the championship as a platform to gauge their performances before they participate in SUKMA and other tournaments.
The championship was organised by Perak Karate Do Association with Okinawa Goju- Ryu Karate Federation Malaysia with the participation of 1,400 exponents.
Also present was patron of both organisations and Baru Gajah MP V.Sivakumar. The championships were divided into 70 categories including kata,kumite for men, women and veterans.
Boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 11 also competed.