RI wraps up with 5 golds in SKIF world c'ships

NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): The Indonesian women's team took on Sunday one more gold from the kumite event in the last day of the seventh Shotokan Karate-do International Federation (SKIF) World Championships to finish third in the medal standings.

The team, consisting of Meity and Inri Kaseger and Hujrah, overpowered the Venezuelan team in the final. Italy was third.

In the men's event, Indonesia only managed to earn one silver in the men's team and a bronze from Rovian Ibrahim in the under 75-kilogram kumite.

Overall, Japan finished first with nine golds, seven silvers and seven bronzes, followed by Venezuela with six golds, seven silvers and two bronzes. Indonesia came third with five golds, two silvers and four bronzes, while Azerbaijan was next with four golds, four silvers and three bronzes.

President of SKIF of Indonesia Efjuno Tando said he was pleased that Indonesia could earn five golds in the championships.

"This is the best result we've had after we have taken part in seven championships. Indonesia managed to scoop two golds in the 1994 championships in Yokohama, Japan," he said.

He said Indonesia's men's kumite could not contribute any gold because the karatekas were less powerful than their international counterparts. "But I'm satisfied that they can reach the final in their respective group," Tando said.

Japan, where this karate style originates from, is still the most powerful in the men's event. Nobuaki Kanazawa was declared the grand champion after he outclassed Gurban Taghiyev of Azerbaijan in the grand final on Saturday.

Kanazawa earned one ippon (two points for one style) after he made a stunning kick toward Taghiyev's face. After awhile, Taghiyev received a hansoku (warning) for injuring his rival.

Kanazawa, who is the son of SKIF president Hirokazu Kanazawa, was too fast for Taghiyev in the next move. Kanazawa received the honor coolly.

Indonesia's men's kumite team, consisting of Arfah Syam, La Ode Hidayat, Rovian Ibrahim, Asarumada and Ridwan Ibrahim, could not earn any points in a do-or-die duel with the Japanese team of Motoo Kosaki, Yoichi Hirasawa, Shinji Tanaka, Kanazawa and Manabu Murakami. Japan beat Indonesia 5-0.

Kanazawa defeated Steven Kiever of Switzerland to win one more gold in the men's above 75kg kumite event. Fariz Nadjanov of Azerbaijan took the bronze.

Another Japanese, Shinji Tanaka, also contributed a gold in the under 75kg kumite event. Rumiano Vito of Italy finished second and Indonesian Ibrahim was next. (ivy)