Putatan Karate Association crowned champions
KOTA KINABALU: The Putatan Karate Association (PKA) emerged as champions in the 5th Inter-Dojo (Shitoryu) Karate Championships that ended at the Federal Youth and Sports Complex Sabah in Pasir Putih, Putatan near here Sunday.
The hosts collected 11 gold, 11 silver and 11 bronze medals to beat seven other teams in the twoday championship.
Menggatal Dojo finished second with seven gold, five silver and three bronze while Ranau District Karate-do Association settled for third placing with six gold, four silver and six bronze.
The Shotokan Karate Association Sabah (SKAS) Kota Kinabalu bagged five gold, one silver and 11 bronze to finish fourth, followed by Kolombong with one gold, three silver and four bronze, Politeknik KK with one gold, one silver and 12 bronze, Kiulu with one gold, one silver and two bronze and Nabalu with five silver and seven bronze.
Meanwhile, McRyan Dinero of PKA and Laressca Jayne of the Ranau District Karate-do Association were crowned the Best Male and Female karatekas respectively.
McRyan won three gold medals while Laressca delivered two gold and one silver for her team.
In the Veteran category, Rudy of SKAS won the Best Male Veteran athlete award with two gold while Jaoli Lakimin’s haul of one gold and a bronze won her the Best Female Veteran title.
More than 100 exponents competed in the championships that featured the individual and team events for Kumite and Kata for various age group levels as well as Open and Veteran/Senior competitions.
Among those present at the prize presentation and closing ceremony were Putatan MP-cumPKA patron Awang Husaini Hj Sahari, Petagas assemblyman Datuk Hj Uda Sulai, SKAS advisor Thomas Chong, PKA advisor Paul Nointen, PKA presidentcum-organising chairman Rizal Osoi and PKA deputy president Thomas Olin.