Muscat: The 10th Shotokan Karate Open Championship concluded recently 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 nine countries participating.
Al Qudra Karate Club were crowned champions, delivering an outstanding performance by winning 18 gold medals, four silver and six bronze medals. While Shotokan Karate Centre secured second place with 10 gold medals, 13 silver and 14 bronze medals, reaffirming its strong presence in the two-day competition that ended on January 11. Shitoryu Oman Club claimed third place after winning 10 gold, seven silver and 36 bronze medals. Kuwait Force Club finished fourth, earning eight gold, two silver and four bronze medals.
Ali bin Said bin Saif al Shabibi, coach of the Oman 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 Shibeebi 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.
On the selection process for the national team, Al Shabibi explained that the technical staff and the specialised committee evaluate players based on their technical performance, mastery of offensive and defensive moves, and overall technical execution. This ensures the selection of the most competent and distinguished athletes to represent the national team in regional and international championships.
Mohammed Haid al Qattan, coach of the Kuwait national team, expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Shotokan Centre for organising this exceptional championship. He praised the high level of organisation and competition. Al Qattan mentioned that the Kuwait team participated with 15 players across various categories and was able to strongly compete for top positions in all divisions. He confirmed that the championship was successful in terms of participation numbers, the level of challenge and the spirit of competition.
Al Qattan also commended the technical and ethical standards of the participating teams and countries, highlighting the high sportsmanship and cooperation among the teams. He added that Kuwait’s participation in this championship was not merely a sports competition but also an opportunity to visit Oman, which they greatly admired, especially with the well-organised event and the exceptional activities that took place during the two days of intense matches.
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