37 nations set for Shotokan c'ships<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Thirty seven countries have confirmed their
\nparticipation in the seventh World Shotokan Karate-do
\nInternational Federation (SKIP) championships next month in Nusa
\nDua, Bali.<\/p>\n
The organizing committee chairman, Efjuno Tando, said on
\nTuesday that the organizers were still waiting for confirmation
\nfrom 22 other countries to compete in the event.<\/p>\n
Tando expressed worry regarding complaints from some countries
\non new regulations stating that each country could only field
\nthree persons in the 75kgs division.<\/p>\n
"Some countries including Switzerland and Japan have
\ncomplained about this. Switzerland had prepared seven athletes
\nand urged us to cancel the regulation, while Japan protested
\nbecause its athletes had been undergoing diets to lose weight.
\nFinally we decided not to limit the number of participants in the
\ndivision," he said.<\/p>\n
"Most competitors in the division come from Europe and
\nAmerica. Asian athletes very rarely compete in that class."<\/p>\n
Tando, who is also chairman of the Inkado karate school, said
\nIndonesia would have a slight chance in the +75kgs division but a
\nwide opportunity in the -75kgs and -65kgs divisions.<\/p>\n
"I have not given them any target. They are undergoing a
\ncentralized training program. They have performed very well in
\nthe individual and team kata. Hopefully our athletes can win
\nmedals in both events."<\/p>\n
Inkado staged a two-day selection last weekend and picked 28
\nnames to represent the country in the championships. They will
\ncompete in the men's individual kata, men's team kata, men's
\n-65kgs kumite, men's -75kgs kumite, men's +75kgs kumite, women's
\n-60kgs kumite and women's +60kgs kumite.<\/p>\n
Tando was optimistic that Aswan Ali would be able to repeat
\nhis success in the 1994 championships in Yokohama, Japan, where
\nhe grabbed the gold in the men's individual kata. But Aswan
\nfailed to win his second gold in the 1997 championships in Milan,
\nItaly, and ended up finishing in fourth place.<\/p>\n
Tando named France, Italy, Japan and Switzerland as favorites.<\/p>\n
Speaking on the preparations, Tando said Inkado was still
\nfacing financial problems and spent a total of US$30,000 just to
\nmake tribunes and five arenas at the Sheraton Nusa Indah Resort.<\/p>\n
Tando then met with the Japanese ambassador to Indonesia,
\nTakao Kawakami, asking for help. Kawakami contacted the Jakarta
\nJapan Club Foundation, requesting their aid, but Tando won't
\nreceive an answer from them until Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Another member of the organizers, Fauzi Saidi, expressed
\ndisappointment toward the state minister of tourism and art,
\nHidayat Djailani, who did not offer a comment on the upcoming
\nchampionships.<\/p>\n
"There will be nearly 1,000 athletes worldwide competing in
\nBali but the minister doesn't even care to comment on the event,"
\nhe said. (yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/37-nations-set-for-shotokan-cships-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}