Al Qudra wins karate championship

MUSCAT, JAN 12

The 10th Shotokan Karate Open Championship concluded on Saturday at Al Amal Sports Club Hall in Muscat Governorate as part of the Muscat Nights events. The championship witnessed intense competition among participants from various local and international clubs, with 34 clubs from 9 countries participating.

Al Qudra Karate Club was crowned the champion, delivering an outstanding performance by winning 18 gold medals, four silver medals and six bronze medals. While Shotokan Karate Center secured second place with 10 gold medals, 13 silver medals and 14 bronze medals, reaffirming its strong presence in the competition. Shitoryu Oman Club claimed third place after winning 10 gold medals, seven silver medals and 36 bronze medals, reflecting remarkable performance across various categories.Kuwait Force Club finished fourth, earning 8 gold medals, 2 silver medals and 4 bronze medals.

Ali bin Said bin Saif al Shabibi, coach of the national karate team, emphasised that the timing of this championship was highly appropriate. He highlighted that the championship achieved record-breaking participation with over 400 players, reflecting the significant interest from players, coaches and parents in karate. Al Shabibi added that the championship's success, from his perspective, was 100 per cent, noting that many national team players proved their worth by securing top positions and multiple gold medals. Additionally, the direct interaction with international players greatly enhanced their experience and skills.

Al Shabibi stressed the importance of such tournaments for Omani players and residents in Oman, explaining that the participation of international teams with their top players provides local athletes with real opportunities to engage with high-level competition, contributing to their skill development and helping them gain valuable experience for their athletic careers.

Regarding the growth and spread of karate in Oman, Al Shabibi noted that the sport has witnessed wide expansion recently, from Dhofar Governorate in the south to Musandam Governorate in the north. He pointed out that Muscat Governorate alone has more than 50 karate clubs, reflecting the large number of practitioners in this growing sport.