JKA national karate camp concludes

KARACHI: Former world champion and 7th Dan Shiina Katsutoshi of Japan supervised the 5th JKA nation karate 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, both male and female, belonged to Sindh. There were two fighters from Punjab and a handful from Balochistan in the two-day camp which was started on Wednesday.

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 young fighters.

At the end of the event the participants were also given away certificates. The camp was organised by Japan Karate Association (JKA) Pakistan with the support of the Consulate-General Japan in Karachi. This is the fifth time that Shiina visited Pakistan for the purpose.

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, 2018 and now,” Isomura said.

He said that Japan would host Olympics in 2020, adding karate had also been included in the Games for the first time.Shiina said he hoped that the fighters would have sweated all the way during training. He advised fighters to improve their skills.

“Besides using both hands and legs fighters also need to keep their heart stronger. 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 was the Deputy Consul General Katsunnori Ashida and a senior official of Sindh Judo Association M Ali. The president of Japan Karate Association (JKA) Pakistan Zulfiqar Ali was also handed over diploma of 5th Dan while secretary Tariq Ali was given away 3rd Dan diploma.