JKA Karate National Camp concludes

KARACHI: Former world champion and 7th Dan Shiina Katsutoshi of Japan supervised the 5th JKA Karate National Camp which concluded here at the premises of the Consulate-General of Japan on Thursday.

As many as 60 fighters took part in the shotokan karate drills and learnt skills from one of the best experts of the game. Most of the fighters, male and female, were from Sindh. There were two fighters from Punjab and a few from Balochistan in the two-day camp.

Shiina, who had been extended a reception at the residence of Japan Consul General Toshikazu Isomura on Wednesday, tried his best to rectify the techniques of the young fighters.

At the end of the event, the participants were given certificates. The camp was organised by Japan Karate Association (JKA) Pakistan with the support of the Consulate-General of Japan in Karachi.

This is the fifth time that Shiina visited Pakistan. Speaking at the closing ceremony, Consul General Isomura said that the process would continue. "I am thankful to Shiina who came all the way from Japan. He had also visited Pakistan in 1997, 2010, 2017 and 2018," Isomura said.

He said that there would be karate competitions for the first time in Olympics history when Tokyo hosts the Games in 2020. "Although it would be difficult for these fighters to be part of the 2020 Olympics but in future definitely someone will represent Pakistan in karate in Olympics. Shiina will come in autumn and again we will conduct such programmes," Isomura said.

Shiina said he hoped that the fighters would have sweated all the way during training. "Besides using both hands and legs, the fighters also need to keep their heart strong. I would like to advise the fighters to keep improving their skills. I am also trying to improve my skills whenever I get chance to do so," Shiina said.

A similar camp was also scheduled to be held at Lahore from March 30 to 31 but has been cancelled because of the prevailing tension between Pakistan and India. Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Consul General Katsunnori Ashida and Sindh Judo Association's Mohammad Ali. Japan Karate Association (JKA) Pakistan president Zulfiqar Ali was handed over diploma of 5th Dan, while secretary Tariq Ali got 3rd Dan diploma.

Zulfiqar told 'The News' that during the last couple of years around 18 fighters got black belts from Japan headquarters. "Shiina is behind this. He comes to Pakistan, trains fighters and their capabilities increase and so they get rewards," Zulfiqar said.