In a thrilling closing ceremony at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the second edition of the Strata Base National Open Senior Karate Championship came to an end last Saturday with a total of 60 medals, including 16 gold, 16 silver, and 28 bronze, won by the participating athletes.
With a commanding display that saw them finish with 11 medals – 5 gold, 1 silver, and 5 bronze – Team FCT-Abuja topped the medal standings to emerge victorious. In second place was Team Anambra with eight medals (four gold and four silver), while Team Strata Base, who were the host, finished third with 9 medals (2 gold, 3 silver, and 4 bronze).
The competition which began on Wednesday, April 12, provided the lovers of Karate around Nigeria with the opportunity to unwind while watching amazing kumite and kata matches between competing athletes and teams picked from states all over the nation.
The Chairman of the South-South Zone of the Karate Federation of Nigeria, Engr. Dr. Chukwudi Dimkpa, re-established his and the federation’s commitment to ensuring that the sport continues to develop and serve as a means for young individuals to forge a career as opposed to engaging in social vices.
“This championship, the 4th in the series, asides from engaging young people meaningfully and showing them the possibilities of a life away from crime, was also aimed at showcasing talents to scouts and to serve as avenue to select and groom athletes who will represent Nigeria in future international competitions,” he wrote in a statement on his official social media platform.
“Upon assumption of office as the Chairman, South-South Zone KFN and Board Member representing the South-South zone, Karate Federation of Nigeria, I made a commitment that under my watch in the region, we shall develop the sport to an enviable height and use it to provide a platform to better and meaningfully engage our youths”.
He further expressed his delight at the level of competitiveness shown in the tournament, expressing his satisfaction with the impact the competition will have on the development of young athletes and on the development of the sport in the zone.
“This is reflective in the outcome of the just concluded tournaments in far-away Egypt and South Africa, where for the first time in our history, athletes from our zone won medals for the country in the sport including the first ever Karate gold for the country,” Dr. Dimkpa said. “These achievements are the reason we are justified in our continued sponsorship of the sport.
“We are fulfilled and satisfied that every participating Karateka in this edition, apart from growing and showcasing their talents, winning medals and prizes, also went home with an invaluable experience”.
