JKA-UC nabs 8 golds in National Open Karate

THE Japan Karate Association (JKA)-University of Cebu (UC) bagged eight gold medals to top the seniors competition of the National Invitational Open Karate Championships yesterday at the J Center Mall in Mandaue City.

Sidney Earl Metante led JKA-UC with a gold medal in the prestigious  open division.  Chad Luna topped the individual kata competition while JKA-UC’s senior kata men’s and women’s teams harvested six gold medals.

Four visiting teams competed in this tournament but went home without a gold medal as Cebuanos took care of homecourt advantage.

The Sports Karatedo Organization (SKO) of Mandaue City finished second with seven gold medals.

Meanwhile, the Shotokan Karate Society Cebu put up a scintillating performance in the juniors division after bagging 14 gold medals.

SKS topped yesterday’s kata team event youth division worth three gold medals to finish with 10 gold medals in the juniors kata category and four in the juniors kumite competition.

The Association of Shotokan Karatedo (ASK) Cebu harvested a combined seven gold medals in the kata and kumite competition to claim the second spot in the juniors division.

Meanwhile, sensei Rolando Basigo, the tournament director, said the Union of the Philippine Karatedo Organization Inc. require its 15 active member clubs to conduct annual tournaments to give more exposure to their karatekas.   /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL