VI PNG Open Karate titles deferred to April 13 – 14

The 6^th Papua New Guinea (PNG) Open Karate Titles has been deferred to April 13^th and 14^th and will be held at the Ela Murray International School in Port Moresby starting from 9 AM.

PNG Karate-do Federation (PNGKF) President, Sensei Carl Mari, said the delay is because the medals and trophies are yet to be cleared by Customs.

He said it would be inconvenient to award the medals a week or so after the tournament.

Sensei Mari said the deferral dates (April 13^th – 14^th) had been chosen to coincide with the Development Squad Training Camp, scheduled for the same week, which will be conducted by Sensei Trevor Roberts.

He said rescheduling the events together would minimize costs for Karate clubs from outside of Port Moresby who had athletes and officials who would participate in the tournament and attend the camp.

The camp will begin on April 11^th and 12^th, and will be paused for the tournament and then resume on the 15^th and 16^th.

The Open Karate Titles is open to all styles of martial arts and consists of point contact Kumité, full contact Kumité and Kata including musical and Kobudo (weapons forms) and Tame-shiwari (breaking).

A number of clubs from different styles including Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, Choi Lee Fut and others have shown interest and will undoubtedly provide a spectacular display especially in the weapons forms or Kobudo.

While the tournament is open to all styles, certain restrictions will be observed especially with the performance of Katas.

Sensei Mari said the “heart of Karate is Kata” and thus certain restrictions would be placed to ensure proper ground and foundations. Katas will be restricted to age and ranking.

“We want to put these restrictions so that kids learn the katas properly, and are grounded properly, instead of attempting advanced katas and their foundations are very poor,” Sensei Mari said.

The children and cadet age groups will be allowed to repeat kata in intervals. However, the higher age groups and open category will not be allowed to do this.

Sensei Mari also said as this was an open karate tournament, kata from all traditional styles of Karate would be allowed including Kyokushin.

The entry fee for the tournament is K70 per competitor and entries close on April 12. However, late entries that are accepted by PNGKF will attract a K20 penalty fee.

It is also compulsory for all competitors to wear the right, correct fitting, mouth guards.

Further information regarding the tournament can be directed to Karate Development Officer, Willie Leslie, on mobile 727 76677 or PNGKF treasurer Joseph Kubul on 716 90504.