Team KK are VIII SAGA karate champions
KOTA KINABALU: Team Kota Kinabalu justified their top billings as karate became the first sport to conclude its events in the VIII Sabah Games (SAGA) at the Libaran Community Hall in Sandakan yesterday.
Kota Kinabalu continued their fine form from Sunday’s opening round by adding another two gold and two bronze on the final day of competition.
That brought their total to four gold, one silver and two bronze to top the karate standings.
Nur Ayeen, who won the Individual Kata the day earlier, teamed up with Juslin Juman and Olevia Demuius to lift the gold for the Women’s Team Kata.
Kota Kinabalu then completed a clean sweep of the Team Kata through its men’s trio of Kenlorenson Nam, Brad Wales Wong and Ivan Charles.
The other gold medallists for karate yesterday were Siti Nuur Waan Ngandrok representing the hosts Sandakan in the Women’s Kumite -50kg, Racchna Joe (Tenom - Women’s Kumite -55kg), Racheal Joe (Tenom - Women’s Kumite 68kg), Josvin Jase (Keningau- Men’s Individual Kata), Pg Azhar Azlan (Tuaran - Men’s Kumite -67kg), Beryl Ashley Blantocas (Putatan - Men’s Kumite -67kg), McRoyce Donovan Dagul (Putatan - Men’s Kumite -75kg) and Muhammad Danial Mustapha (Beaufort - Men’s Kumite -84kg).
The results saw Putatan finish second overall in the karate medal standing with two gold and four bronze, followed by Tenom with two gold and three bronze, Sandakan (1g, 1s, 4b), Keningau (1g, 1s, 3b), Tambunan (1g, 1s, 2b), Kota Belud (1g, 1b), Tuaran (1g, 1b), Beaufort (1g), Penampang (4s, 1b), Papar (2s, 3b), Nabawan (2s, 1b), Tawau (1s, 1b), Telupid (1s), Kinabatangan (1b) and Beluran (1b).
Meanwhile, SAGA karate technical director Julian Chin said the competition went smoothly after combined efforts from all contingents and the technical officials as well as supports from the Youth and Sports Ministry and Sabah Sports Council.
“In term of athletes’ performance, it was not that far off from the previous SAGA. We need to double the efforts so that our athletes will keep improving against karatekas from other states.
“We will go back to the coach... where we will conduct more courses as among the efforts to ensure our athletes will keep improving,” said Julian, who is also Sabah Karate Association (SKA) secretary general and coach.
Sabah Sports Council director Terrance Pudin was present and went on to present the prizes to the winners.