Japanese contingent provide a good example for other athletes to follow

KOTA KINABALU: The Japanese contingent have certainly left a long lasting impression when taking part in the just concluded 18th AKF Cadet, Junior and Under-21 Karate Championship here.

Japan karatekas fought their way to the top of the medal standings after winning 16 gold, seven silver and six bronze medals.

And their highly successful outing did not end there.

The Japanese showed yet again their strong sense of civic duty by picking up their litter and cleaned up their rows and seats at the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex multi-purpose hall.

Unsurprisingly, it did not go unnoticed.

A photo combo has emerged in social media depicting a 'before and after' of the designated areas for the Japanese athletes.

The first photo showed the athletes sitting and watching the ongoing action and the second photo showed a cleaned and tidy rows and seats.

Posted to Facebook by Sabah Karate Association (SKA) secretary general Julian Chin, it was also accompanied by text that read 'Anytime, Anywhere' ... Japan team after tournament be like. Salute#.

When contacted, Julian revealed that the originals were contributed by one of the parents of the state karateka.

"Perfect example of Japanese culture during the 18th AKF Cadet, Junior & U21 Karate Championship 2019 at Likas Sports Complex.

"Hope ourt Sabah karate athletes will cultivate this habit and culture," Julian wrote in his Facebook post.

The post has earned high praise from netizens for the Japanese good manners after the end of the tournament.

The good manners shown by the Japanese is nothing new as they have done similar actions at other sporting events, including at the World Cup 2018 in Russia, which won many admirers worldwide.

Meanwhile, Julian also took the opportunity to thank all involved in making the championship a success.

He added in his Facebook post; "Mission completed which (we were) given (only) two months (preparation) to organise the 18th AKF Cadet, Junior and Under-21 Karate Championship 2019. "Thank you everyone." For the record, Sabah played host to the championship for the second time, the first in 2008 where over 500 exponents from 33 countries took part.