KENINGAU: The SKA Main Dojo team emerged as overall champions of the 2023 Hanshi Cup Karate Championship 3.0 held at the Datuk Lee Sen Hall, SMJK Ken Hwa here by winning 17 gold, 12 silver and 13 bronze medals.
In second and third places respectively were SKA Papar with 10 golds, six silvers and nine bronzes and SKA Tambunan with eight golds, five silvers and 10 bronzes.
The Keningau Sports Complex Karate Club finished fourth with eight gold, six silver and 22 bronze medals while the Tambunan SKA finished fifth with six golds, one silver and seven bronzes.
A total of 22 teams with 622 athletes aged seven to 44 years old from all over Sabah including Brunei participated in 70 category events that were contested at the tournament which was held for three days.
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The tournament organised by the Keningau Sports Complex Karate Club (3KSK) in collaboration with Sabah Karate Association (SKA) was officiated by Liawan State Assemblyman and the Chairman of Sabah Energy Corporation Sdn Bhd Datuk Annuar Ayub.
In his speech Annuar said the karate tournament does not only determine who is the champion, but what is important is that this tournament indirectly educates the athletes that success does not come rolling but requires effort, perseverance, planning and high sacrifice.
“In short, there is no easy success but a continuous struggle. I congratulate the Keningau Sports Complex Karate Club under the leadership of Sensei Anney Henry for the successful organisation of the tournament,” he said.
Annuar also congratulated SKA which had produced many talented athletes in karate and among the contributors of medals in promoting Sabah whether in domestic, national or international tournaments.
Meanwhile, SKA Deputy President Datuk Herman Tiongsoh also congratulated the Keningau Sports Complex Karate Club for successfully steering this big tournament.
Herman, who was representing ska president Datuk Jake Jikulin Nointin, said SKA will build a Karate Academy and hopefully with this academy, the association will be able to produce more talented athletes.
Earlier in her speech, the chairperson of the organiser Sensei Anney Henry expressed her appreciation and gratitude to SKA and the Sabah Sports Council (MSN) and all those involved in making the Hanshi Cup Karate Championship 3.0 a success.
Anney, who is also 3ksk president, thanked all the teams that participated in the tournament.
She said the active members who are training under the Keningau Sports Complex Karate Club are about 120 people and there are still some who are waiting for new registration. “We can’t take many trainees because the Dojo room is quite narrow and I really hope if we get a place that is quite spacious to accommodate the many trainees.
“The Keningau Sports Complex Karate Club is also pleased to contribute five TABs to the Sabah Karate Association as a sign of infinite gratitude for the support, guidance and advice given especially during the organisation of this tournament.
“Hopefully with this small contribution we can provide something beneficial to the Sabah Karate Association,” she said.
The closing ceremony and presentation of prizes to the winners was conducted by State Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Fairuz Rendan.
Also present at the event were SKA Secretary General Kyhoshi Julian Chin, SKA Chief Instructor Shihan Paul Chin, District Police Chief Superintendent Yampil Anak Garai, MSN Deputy Director Valarie Wong and SKA council members.
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