Juniors prepare for Kyokushin tourney

By THADDEUS TIRIMAN
Kyokushin Karate PNG is set to host the first NCD Provincial Junior Open Kyokushin Karate Championship on Sunday.
Junior fighters will take to the ring to compete in their respective divisions in the two- divisional tournament, which comprise 5 to 13 years old and the 14 to 20 year old divisions.
About 60 fighters have registered for the tournament. The actual number of participating fighters will be confirmed today.
The tournament has attracted a lot of attention from other martial arts bodies, corporate sponsors and the public.
Oyama Kyokushin Karate chief instructor Sempai Bernard Soari confirmed this yesterday and he hoped this Sunday’s events, though the first of its kind would be a successful one.
He said 10 of the 60 juniors that showed their interest earlier had to withdraw due to them not passing a medical examination.
“In the examination we found out that most of them had spleen and a few had other defects with their heart and breathing problems. We told them not to part take this year,” Soari said.
Although sad for the youngsters’ withdrawal, Soari said it was for their own good knowing very well that the tournament was going to be full contact.
“We are encouraging them to take medical treatment so by next time hopefully they will be well enough to part take.”
Sunday will start with a “baseball bat-breaking” demonstration and a “brick breaking” demonstration featuring Sempai Soari followed by the fights from juniors as young as five years old and a few rounds of female fighters.
Other codes who confirmed their fighters yesterday were Shaolin Kung fu bringing in six fighters and Shotokan Karate confirming one. Hapkido and Taekwondo are also two codes that have confirmed their participation with five fighters each.
The event is proudly sponsored by Lae Builders and Contractors, Seeto Kui Group of Companies, Mainland plumbing services, Soul Wara Club and Puartele Security Services.