93 Filipino karatekas vie in World Shoto Cup today

For International Shotokan Karatedo Foundation (ISKF) board member Cathy Cline of the United States of America (USA), the World Shoto Cup 2012 to be held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino starting today is the perfect chance for the Philippine National Karatedo Team to show what it has got.

Cline said team Philippines’ performance in 2008’s inaugural World Cup in Canada showed a lot of potential in the martial art. Now that the country’s karatekas are competing at home, they will have a huge advantage over the rest of the participants.

“The Philippines has a lot of good players so I can say that they are very blessed,” said Cline in yesterday’s press conference at the Waterfront. “I want to give credit to the dedication of the coaches and trainers, not just of team Philippines, but also the member countries who will participate in the competition this weekend for making it to the World Cup.”

Also present in yesterday’s launch were ISKF Philippines director David Lay, ISKF Philippines president Dr. Jan Villamayor, US-based sensei Joji Mercado and ISKF Philippines secretary general and tournament director Raymond Lee Reyes.

The host team will field 93 karatekas. Some of them are members of the national team such as Princess Sycangco, Orencio delos Santos and Jhoana Lim.

There will also be Cebuanos in AKC Lapu-Lapu’s Rafael Vidal, Rowena and Rowela Barredo, Ivan Fajardo, Earl Justine Perez, Kent Juban, Jun-jun Pancho, Mark Guinamos, Josie Francisco, Jaime Sumalinog, Anjilo Sadili and Jane Marpie Famador.

They will be facing karatekas from South Africa, USA, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, Germany, India, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, New Zealand and Switzerland.

The competition starts at 9 a.m. to be highlighted by the parade of the 15 countries within the Pacific Grand Ballroom of the Waterfront. The kumite or sparring competition will kick off tomorrow.