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

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)