In November 1996 Sun City, South Africa was the site for the World Karate Federation Championship. This Resort was touch of Paradise for those in attendance.
More than one thousand particpants from some 90 countries were expected to participate. President Jacques Delcourt is proud to announce that the WKF is the 10th largest International Federation with 40 million Karate-ka in 158 countries.
It
is important to note that Governor General Kunio Tatsuno of the World Karate-Do
Promotion Fund (WKPF) is working to bring Karate to the Olympics. The International
Olympic Committe has been challanged to recognize Karate-Do as an official
Olympic event. There is an International co-operative effort by all major
styles and schools of Karate-Do (WKF, JKF, ITKF, etc....).
Great Britain, Japan, and France were quite successful as might have been expected. The United States made great results earning medals in both Kata and Kumite.
In the Male Team Kata Japan edged out both France and Italy with a wonderful
performance of Superimpei. The French were flawless with Unsu Kata. Nearly
all teams performed Unsu and perhaps that was the Japanese Teams's advantage.
First Honors went to Japan in the Female Team Kata. Congratulations to Melanie Genung, Kelie Kennedy, and Junko Arai of the U.S.A. in winning the Silver.
Michael Milon of France was successful in the Male Individual Kata. Winning the Gold Medal performing Unsu gave him his second World Title. A true Champion, Mison raised his level of intensity in the Individual Competition and out scored R. Abe of Japan.
Japan's Y. Mimura took first place in the Female Individual Kata. Melanie
Genung of the United States earned her second Silver Medal with an excellent
performance of Annan Kata.
It was little surprise to find France and Great Britain in the Male Team Kumite Finals. A very dramatic Final left France victorious. Great Britain defeated Italy for the Femaile Team Kumite Championship. Great Britain's coach Ticky Donovan has to be congratulated for his success. He is probably Karate's most Winning Coach.
In the Male Open Kumite Final Alderson of Great Britain defeated Olivares of Spain. John Fonseca of the U.S.A. and Takenouchi of Japan earned Bronze Medals. Fonseca had a tough pool where he had to fight last year's Silver Medalist Andreas Horn and a repechage with Yugoslavia.
The Female Open Champion I. Senff comes from the Netherlands Antilles and
had to defeat Nabeki of Japan to win the Gold.
Great Britain's Wayne Otto won his weight class of - 75K. Otto is one of the most exciting Karate-ka today and an excellent Sportsman. His intensity and techinical abilities leave him in a class of his own.
Patrica Duggin and J. Toney were top winners in their respective weight classes. Great Britain were the big winners at this event.
The U.S. Team looked terrific. When T. Hood swept Herreo of Spain in the Male Team Competition it was obvious these men weren't just tourist. Dustin Baldis had a couple of tough fights against competitors from Russia and Japan.
Julius Thiry of the U.S.A. National Karate-Do Federation and Coaches Toki
Hill, Jimmy Blann, and Yukiyoshi Marutani can be proud of their results.
We should expect to see more from these competitors in the future.
Imitiaz Abdulla, Dave Friend, and the Karate Association of South Africa did a wonderful job organizing this event. The Sun City Resort was a beautiful choice. This Championship will be well remembered by all who attended.
