PNG Karate athletes returns with medals

The PNG Karate athletes returned home after competing in the Karate Fiji International championships at the weekend.  The championship was held at Yat Sen Hall in Suva.

The four member team comprised of Nigel Bana, Crystal Mari, Bernard Sinai, Quentin Bougen and Sensei Luke Goa as coach.  Nigel won silver in 67kg male kumite and a bronze in Open male kumite.  He also competed in kata and was fifth overall.  Crystal won silver in Cadet (14 – 15 years) female kata and a bronze in under 21 years female kumite.  Bernard Sinai won a bronze in under 84kg male kumite, whilst Quentin Bougen shared equal third spot with Bernard in the under 84kg male kumite and again shared third place with Nigel in Open male kumite.

All three male fighters went through the finals in the Open male kumite where Quentin settled for one of the bronze medals whilst the other spot had to be fought for by Nigel and Bernard where Nigel edged out Bernard to collect it.  In all PNG collected two silver and five bronze medals.

The team also attended a kumite seminar at the University of the South Pacific and a technical seminar at Fiji Amateur Sports Association & National Olympic Committee’s Olympic House. Although the team won medals in this competition, the team’s management contents that Team Karate PNG needs a lot of improvements in order to be competitive come 2015 Pacific Games.