There's no way to go but up for Philippine karate.
And with proper motivation and right training, Filipinos can again make their presence felt not only in the coming 30th Southeast Asian Games in Manila this Nov.30 to Dec. 11 but also in other major international competitions.
Listen to Karate Pilipinas Sports Federation, Inc. president Richard Lim.
"The future of karate is bright under the leadership of KPSFI. In fact, we're looking to surpass our medal haul in the 29th SEA Games in Malaysia two years aho," said Lim during his appearance in the 34th "Usapang Sports" by the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports at the National Press Club in Intramuros last Thursday.
"Ayos na kami sa karate. Our preparations and training for the SEAG are right on schedule with still more than three months before the SEAG," said Lim, who was accompanied in the weekly sports forum by national karate team members Allison Quiroga, Alwyn Batican and Jamie Lim.
Although no final line-up was submitted yet pending the performances of the national athletes who will train and compete in Osaka, Japan and Turkey, Lim assured sportswriters only the best and brightest will be selected to represent the country.
"Our coaching staff, led by Turkish coach Okay Arpa, will select the athletes who will be included in the line-up but those who won medals in Malaysia are assured of slot in the team," explained Lim, a two-time SEA Games gold medalist in kata and bronze medalist in the 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games.
Lim was referring to John Paul Bejar (-55kg), Jayson Macaalay (-60kg) and Rexor Tacay (-67kg), who won three silvers; and Fil-Japanese Junaa Tsukii (-50kg), Mae Soriano (-55kg), James delos Santos (men's individual kata) and the women's team kumite of Tsukii, Soriano, Erica Celine Samonte and Kimverly Madrona, who won the bronze in Kuala Lumpur in 2017.
Lim said the KPSFI, which was officially recognized by the World Karate Federation as the new national federation for the sport in the Philippines during the WKF Congress in Madrid, Spain last Nov. 5, has lined up two major international exposures for the athletes.
"The kata (form) team is in Osaka, Japan right now, while the kumite (sparring) team will leave on Sept. 1 for Turkey for a one-month training and join the Turkish Open. We are giving our athletes the chance to improve on their skills. They will be assessed by the coaches because we want only the best athletes in our SEAG team," added Lim in the forum supported by the Philippine Sports, National Press Club, PAGCOR, Community Basketball Association and HG Guyabano Tea Leaf Drinks.
Only recently, the KPSFI-supported team brought home 19 golds, eight silvers and four bronzes in the 39th Karatedo Gojukai International Championship held in Singapore.
"Our athletes did very well and made our country proud."
Lim also announced the staging of the 7th Karatedo Goju-kai Asia-Pacific Championship scheduled Sept. 27-Oct. 1at the Hoops Dome in Lapu Lapu City,
"More than 700 athletes from 16 countries have already entered, so our athletes will get another opportunity to test their skills," added Lim, who thanked.the Philippine Sports Commission, Cebu provincial government, Lapu Lapu City government and the Department of Tourism Region 7 for their support.
