The Kenya men’s and women’s national karate teams have safely arrived in Durban, South Africa, ahead of the 11th Commonwealth Karate Championships. The event, scheduled from November 28 to December 1, 2024, will be held at the Olive Convention Center and is set to attract over 1,000 competitors, officials, and delegates from 25 nations.
A Platform for Commonwealth Games Inclusion
Karate South Africa president, Sonny Pillay, has highlighted the significance of the championships, which will also serve as an advocacy platform to include karate in the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Kenya’s Preparedness and Team Composition
According to Kenya Karate Federation (KKF) Secretary General James Gikonyo, the team has settled in well and is ready for the highly competitive event.
“We arrived safely, and the team is in high spirits. While there’s a little nervousness among first-timers, I’m confident that the coaches have done an excellent job selecting the best players to represent Kenya,” said Gikonyo.
Kenya’s Karate Representatives
The national team coaches, Bakari Yusuf and Stephen Mapale, meticulously selected athletes across various categories:
Individual Kata
- Men: James Gikonyo, Wambui Mwangi
- Women: Joyce Juma, Rose Wanjiku, Esther Katunge
Team Kata
- Men: Bernard Kihachu, Daniel Vaati, Julius Muya, James Mwangi
- Women: (Not specified in the article)
Individual Kumite (Men)
- Under 60kg: John Thuo
- Under 67kg: Daniel Auru
- Under 75kg: Francis Wamukui
- Under 84kg: Eugene Obunde
Individual Kumite (Women)
- Under 55kg: Rose Wanjiku, Georgina Kanini
- Under 61kg: Esther Katunge
- Under 68kg: Joyce Juma
- Junior Under 66kg: Fatuma Muhammed
High Expectations for Kenya
The Kenyan delegation is optimistic about their chances, with the team blending experienced athletes and promising newcomers. The competition offers an excellent opportunity for the Kenyan karatekas to showcase their skills on the global stage and gain valuable international exposure.
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