Billy upsets Sipapi in karate

 THE recently held 6th PNG Open Karate titles were a success as it provided an opportunity for karate selectors to re-examine the performance of athletes in the development squad and uncover new talent.  

There were 19 clubs from 10 provinces that took part, among them Stones Taekwondo and Sha­olin Kung fu.

There were many upsets over the three days and  Queensland dual gold medallist, Dominic Sipapi (from Space Christian Karate) was defeated in the male 67Kg point contact division by Junior Billy (Papa Karate Club); reigning male kata champion Julius Piku (Rock Shotokan Karate Budokai) did not make the gold medal play-offs and the kata champion title was won by Silas Piskaut (PNG Mas Oyama;).

Reigning female point contact and full contact kumite champion and Queensland  dual gold medallist Doris Karomo (Rock Shotokan Karate Budokai) was dethroned by Jacklyn Barney (RAMS Shotokan Karate) and Quintin Bougen (AROB) was declared as the new male point contact champion.  

The only champions who retained their crowns were male full contact title holder Rickinson Mekere (RAMS Shotokan Karate) and reigning female kata champion, Crystal Mari (Rock Shotokan Karate Budokai).  

The Budo Spirit Award went to Eddie Martin of Lae Town Shotokan Karate Club.  

Rock Shotokan Karate Budokai Club of NCD topped the medal tally by bagging f 23 medals – 14 gold, 7 silver and 2 bronze.  The nearest rivals were Space Christian Karate with 21 medals; 7 gold, 7 silver, and 7 bronze followed by Papa Shotokan Karate with 12 medals; 6 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze.

There were many promising signs for the next crop of karate athletes in the children divisions.  

President Carl Mari thanked the government for funding the training camp and the tournament through the PNG Sports Federation & Olympic Committee Go 4 Gold programme targeting the 2015 Pacific Games.