by The PNG Karate-Do Federation (PNGKF) Karate has announced its final team of twenty eight athletes for the XV Pacific Games, but laments the exclusion of Braden McMahon due to citizenship issues. Braden who is the current Oceania 75Kg Kumite Champion has blood connection thru his paternal grandmother who is from Central Province.
The women team comprise of Crystal Mari (Individual Kata – NCD), Gantianna Joseph (Team Kata – NCD), Sarah Ande (Team Kata – NCD), Joancherry Revui (Team Kata – NCD), Lera Kose (50Kg Kumite – Central), Catherine Wilson (55Kg Kumite – Central), Francillia Kokin (61Kg Kumite – AROB), Doris Karomo (68Kg Kumite – NCD), Gewa Rupa (68+Kg Kumite – Central), Doris Karomo Open (Kumite – NCD), Jacklyn Barney (Team Kumite), Lera Kose (Team Kumite), Francillia Kokin (Team Kumite – AROB), and Doris Karomo (Team Kumite – NCD).
The men team comprise of Cosmas Saliawali (Individual Kata – NCD), Nigel Bana (Team Kata – NCD), Leonard Gariadi (Team Kata – NCD), Cosmas Saliawali (Team Kata – NCD), Nigel Bana (60Kg Kumite – NCD), Dominic Sipapi (67Kg Kumite – Central), John Kajona (75Kg Kumite – Central), Vincent Bougen (84Kg Kumite – AROB); Ishmael Stanley (84+Kg Kumite – Central), Dominic Sipapi (Open Kumite – Central), Ernest Nuli (Team Kumite – WNB), Naorei Joseph (Team Kumite – Central), Sailas Piskaut (Team Kumite – New Ireland), Siwari Matus (Team Kumite – Morobe), Nigel Bana (Team Kumite – NCD), Dominic Sipapi (Team Kumite – Central) and John Kajona (Team Kumite – Central).
The reserves are Maryanne Porika (68Kg Kumite – Morobe) and Peace Kaiwa (68+Kg Kumite – WNB) for the women whilst for the men are Francis Oa Jnr (Kata – Central), Eddie Martin (60Kg Kumite – Morobe), Junior Billy (67Kg Kumite – Central), Uvaipi Kilangit (84Kg Kumite – Central), and Andrew Molen (84+ Kumite – NCD).
Whilst congratulating the athletes for their selection and endorsement by the PNG Olympic Committee’s Justification Committee, the PNGKF president encouraged the athletes to continue improving on their preparations and maintain their respective weights as the team may change during final registration and weigh-in. He also cautioned that even after this selection, athletes could still be dropped for sloppiness.
