LABUAN: The Labuan karate team produced an impressive performance at the Universal Shotokan Karate Union (USKU) 24th International Open Karate Championships in Takanabe, Miyazaki, Japan, to bring home two gold, two silver and four bronze medals.
The Labuan exponents battled gamely during the March 27-29 championships, with Syarulniza Abdul Jamil, Nur Aleesya Dayana Asmadie and Nur Ariesya Dayana Asmadie delivering the first gold in the women's senior kata team event.
Martina Anne Jipaun, Hazimah Jamil and Syarulniza Abdul Jamil then added a second gold medal with a superb showing in the women's senior kumite team event.
Syarulniza and Nur Aleesya also did well in the individual senior and junior (Under-15) events, respectively. While Syarulniza bagged a silver in kumite and a bronze in kata, Nur Aleesya clinched silver in kata and bronze in kumite.
Labuan's fourth bronze medal came courtesy of Mohamad Aqib Aimar Mohamad Affendi in the boys’ Under-10 kata category.
Labuan Karate Association president Renshi Aswadee Taba hailed the exponents for their outstanding achievement.
“This achievement reflects the exponents’ dedication, discipline and fighting spirit. Competing in Japan and bringing home medals is a proud moment for Labuan. It proves that our exponents are on par with international competitors,” he said.
