The young karatekas all set to carry Sabah’s pride at the Kuala Lumpur tournament this week-end.
KOTA KINABALU (June 29): Sabah Karate Association (SKA) have named a youthful 17-member squad to spearhead the state’s challenge at the Fifth Shureido Open Karate Cup in Kuala Lumpur, scheduled for this weekend.
To be staged at the Menara PT80 multi-purpose hall, the tournament will feature exponents from all across Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, all vying for top honours in the Un-der-14, Cadet, Junior and Under-21 Kata and Kumite categories.
SKA secretary general Julian Chin said for the open meet, his side had not set any medal target for it.
“No target,” he said in a WhatsApp reply on Monday.
“The main objective is to give our athletes a platform to gain exposure and experience.
“It is for development purposes.”
The Sabah karatekas are Hezrond Ankes Hasland, Haiqel Darrend Hasland, Philleo McKenzy Ceelo Hendryson, Rose Dayana Mohammad Hamli, Wesley Ozzier Tom Lujain, Christabelle Odelia Tom Lujain, Oxlade Macriel Marcel, Muhammad Syahzrullah Halim, Muhammad Uqael Uqasyah Isma Adam, Dezzie Chell Davis, Eve Starnasia Manuel, Johnny Junior, Nur Ain Hu-mairah Abdul Rahman, Al Zovainz Zurizal, Ivy Catrinaz Zurizal, Danish Rayyan Rajis, and Iona Siew Lin Maria Fernandez King.
The upcoming Fifth Shureido Open Karate Cup is organised by Shito Ryu Malaysia, with support from Shureido and Oriental Martial Arts, and is sanctioned by the Malaysian Karate Federation (Makaf).
The programme will kick off on July 3 with Kata and Kumite seminars conducted by world-class karate practitioners from Japan, followed by the competitions on July 4 and 5.
At the 2025 edition in Indonesia, Sabah finished sixth overall having collected five gold, two silver and 14 bronze medals.