PNG Karate Team shows promise

Nigel Bana (in red) competing at the Karate Fiji International Open Championships.

PHOTO: PNG Karate Federation.

The Papua New Guinea KarateTeam has shown promise for the future development of their sport after a classy performance in Fiji this month.

A small squad of PNG Karate athletes returned on Monday 30th September after competing in the Karate Fiji International Open Championships at the weekend.

The four member team comprised of Nigel Bana, Crystal Mari, Bernard Sinai, Quentin Bougen and Sensei Luke Goa as coach.

The championship was held at Yat Sen Hall in Suva.

Nigel won silver in 67kg male kumite and a bronze in Open male kumite. He also competed in kata and finished fifth overall. Crystal won silver in Cadet (14 – 15 years) female kata and a bronze in under 21 years female kumite. Bernard Sinai won a bronze in under 84kg male kumite, whilst Quentin Bougen won silver in under 84kg male kumite and shared the equal third spot with Nigel in the Open Kumite category.

All three male fighters went through the finals in the Open male kumite where Quentin settled for one of the bronze medals whilst the other spot had to be fought between Nigel and Bernard. Nigel edged out Bernard to collect it.

In all, PNG collected three silver and four bronze medals.

The team also attended a kumite seminar at the University of the South Pacific and a technical seminar at Fiji Amateur Sports Association & National Olympic Committee’s Olympic House.

Although the team won medals in this competition, their management admits that Team Karate PNG needs a lot of improvement in order to be a force to be reckoned with come 2015.

The areas which Team Karate PNG needs to work on are in kumite technique which include speed drills, kata kihon which includes focus and breathing, and international exposure.

2014 is the year to test PNG’s chances in splitting the medal haul by traditional leaders New Caledonia and Fiji.

Fiji will host the Oceania Karate Championships in September 2014.

President Carl Mari acknowledges the support from PNG Olympic Committee and the Government of PNG through the Go for Gold program and the following sponsors; Alaba Trading (Mr. Nickson Volele), Dominant Trading Limited (Mr. Yong) and Wanbel Trading (Mr. O.P. Yann) for supporting athlete Quentin Bougen.

Source - Sports Garamut (Issue 09) September 2013