Karate development squad selected during the 23rd PNGKF National Championships

The PNG Karate-Do Federation (PNGKF) Karate has selected its development Squad during its 23rd National Championships in Port Moresby during the weekend. The President of Queensland Karate Federation Sensei Trevor Roberts officiated at the tournament. The referees who went through the World Karate Federation referees training during the seminar had their practical during the tournament.

The Development Squad is as follows;

Point Contact Male Category are; 55kg – Cosmas Saliwali (NCD), Hillary Wasawa (Bougainville), Nataniel Manua (Morobe), Ernest Nuli (WNB), Randal Hojavo (Northern); 60kg – Cletus Mason (Bougainville), Jimmy Pius (Manus), Leon Wima (Morobe), Kut Kues (Madang), Randol Mekere (Morobe) Dennis Kopman (Central); 67kg – Dominic Sipapi (Central), Timothy Alovare (Goroka), Quintin Wallace (Bougainville) Junior Billy (Central), Gesa Misak (Morobe); 75kg – Sapania John (Morobe),, Jason Carl (NCD), Augustine Lessie (Morobe) and Allan Kania (Central), 84kg – Ismael Stanley (Central), Joe Galgal (Madang), Benjamin Sanda (Morobe) Mckainne Kenedy (Central); Over 84kg Joe Babit (Madang) and James Gaub (Morobe).- Open – John Ali (NCD).

Male Kata Category; Julius Piku (NCD), John Watah (Morobe), Jason Carl (NCD), Willie Leslie (Central) and John Ali (NCD).

Point Contact Female Category are; 50kg – Gantu Joseph (Central), Qwnyth Nogo (EHP), 55kg – Gewa Rupa (Central), Lera Kose (Central), Brigith Kago (Central), Linda Stanley (Central) Sodi Billy (Central) Violet Wangi (NCD); 61kg – Rhonda Winarang (Central), Jenifer Kautil (Madang), Bathshiba Nogo (EHP), 68kg – Doris Joseph (NCD), Over 68kg – Miriam Stanley (Central); Open – Jacklyn Barney (Lae).

Female Kata Category are; Crystal Mari (NCD), Billy Jean Kubul (NCD), Alphonsa Mari (NCD), Doris Joseph (NCD), and Gewa Rupa (Central).

The Full Contact Squad is made up of; Junior Smith (Central), Nao Joseph (Central), Jarnoh Albert (Central), and Geita Maraga (Central), Alois Masusulu, and Nick Mou (Kimbe), Tony Gorogo and Patrick Kasamento (NCD), Basil Orere (Popondetta), Carlos Gaub, Augustine Lessie, Jeffrey Hausen, Benjamin Gaub, Samson Benny, Benjamin Sanda and Gilson Agoname, (Morobe) Dickson Minei, Moses Pomat and Willie John (Manus), Joe Babit (Madang), John Boto (EHP), Gawa Winston (ENB) and Victor Kisiani (ESP).

The squad is a development squad and therefore, opportunities are still available for talents that can be identified during the 2012 PNG Games. PNGKF President Mr, Carl Mari confirmed that a Pacific Games Target Squad would be confirmed in 2013.

Also during the tournament Rickinson Mekere was selected to represent PNG in the 21st World Karate Championship in Paris France in November 2012.

Mr. Mari thanked the Australian High Commission, PNG Sports Federation & Olympic Committee through the Grassroots 2 Gold funding and PNG Power for financial assistance; and Trukai, Ox & Palm, Paradise Foods and Digicel for in kind assistance towards the two weeks Karate Seminar and the 23rd National Championships.