Oman win gold, bronze medals in West Asian karate

The Oman Karate Committee participated in the West Asian Championship, which was held in the Emirate of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, from November 25 to 26.

The event was held under the patronage of Shaikh Sultan bin Muhammad al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, in the Sharjah Sports Club Hall, with the participation of 450 players.

The karatekas represented 11 countries, namely the Sultanate of Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Yemen, Iraq, Palestine, Syria and Lebanon for the titles of 10 competitions in ‘kata’ and ‘kumite’.

Omani Karate Committee Chairman Salem bin Hamad al Mahrouqi, participated in the meeting that was held before the start of the championship headed by Dr Ibrahim al Qannas, President of the International Karate Federation (IKF), in the presence of Major General Nasser al Razouki, IKF Vice-president, President of the Asian and the UAE Karate Federations, and in the presence of members of the West Asian Federation.

They reviewed the arrangements for the tournament held for juniors, youth and adults as well as the arrangements of the Referees Committee and hosting the next West Asian Championship 20232024.

The Sultanate of Oman karate team participated under the leadership of international coach Ali bin Saeed al Shabibi and the following players: Hawra al Lawati in kata, and in kumite: Saeed al Shabibi, Hazza al Jahouri, Khaled al Jabri, Idris al Batrani, Mukhtar al Omari, Mudather al Batrani and Laith al Barwani.

For Oman, Saeed bin Ali al Shabibi clinched a gold medal in adults category (67 kg) after beating the Saudi player in the final.

Other Omani winners included Hazaa al Jahuri, who won a bronze medal in youth category (weight 61 kg).

Bronze medals were also won by Mukhtar al Omari under-14 category (40 kg), Laith al Barwani — youth category (55 kg), Mudather al Battrani — junior category (57 kg) and Hawra al Lawati (kata).