7th Karatedo Asia Pacific Championship gets underway

CEBU, Philippines — Hundreds of karatekas from 20 countries are expected to see action in the 7th Karatedo Goju-Kai Asia Pacific Championship and Technical Seminar 2019 today at the Hoopsdome in Barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City.

Providing challenge to Filipino athletes are karatekas from Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Nepal,Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Chinese-Taipei, Australia, India and Thailand.

Ironically, most of the national team members are not competing as they are doing their training camp abroad for their stint in the 30th Southeast Asian Games in November.

However, Cebuana Allison Kyle Quiroga, who is a member of the national team, has confirmed his participation in the event.

The three-day tilt features the kata, kata bunkai, individual and team kumite categories.

After the competition, there will be a technical seminar for officials headed by Saiko Shihan Goshi Yamaguchi.

The organizing Karate Pilipinas Sports Federation Inc. said the tournament is part of the country's preparations for the SEA Games.