Thursday, September 28, 2006 Karatedo eyes just 1 Asiad gold
THE Philippine Karatedo Team is setting a humble target in the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar this December.
The team that bagged three gold medals in last year Southeast Asian Games in Mandaue City is eyeing just one gold medal in the quadrennial meet.
“That is our target for now because we haven’t started our international exposure and training, “ Philippine Karadeto Federation president Ed Ponce told Sun.Star Cebu in a long distance interview from Manila yesteday.
Six members
Six members of the national team––Mae Soriano, Bernado Chiu, Junel Perania, Ireneo Toribio, and Seag gold medalists Ma. Marna Pabillore and Nelson Pacalso––were scheduled to leave for Italy last week but their trip was cancelled, forcing them to miss the Karate Open tournament in Germany.
“The issuing of their visa was delayed, because it takes 10 days to process the visa,” Ponce said.
The six will be leaving this Saturday for their international training.
Exposure
With the shelving of their participation in the Karate Open, Ponce is eyeing the World Karate Championships on Oct. 12-15 in Finland and the Italy Karate Open as part of their international exposure.
Aside from the six, three-time Seag gold medalist Grethcen Malalad and Cebu’s Noel Espinosa will follow on Oct. 10, in time for the World Championships.
After the World Championships, Espinosa will be sent to Japan for a separate training, while the other seven will be based in Italy.
The Cebuano karateka will be the country’s bet for the kata individual competition.
After the two major tournaments, they are still looking for one more minor tournament for their last training before heading to Doha.
Changes
In the World Congress, which will be also held during the World Championships, Ponce said he will propose some changes in the weight standards in future tournaments.
“We are pushing for lower categories because we are Asian,” said Ponce. (JAF)
