BOTOLAN, Zambales — Members of the Shorin Strike Zambales Karate Do team placed third overall in the recent 5th Philippine Shitoryu Karatedo Federation (PSKF) President’s Cup Karate Championship held in Balanga, Bataan.

The athletes, who hail from this town, brought home a total of 29 medals from the tournament, said Mayor Jun Omar Ebdane, who met with them on June 1 following their victory.

“Your success brought honor not only to your group, but also to the whole of Zambales,” Ebdane told the youngsters. “We are all so proud of you.”

The karatedo tournament was held at the Vista Mall in Bataan on May 23 as a qualifying event for the 11th World Shitoryu Karatedo Federation Championship in Yokohama, Japan. Karatedo means “the way of the empty hand” and comes from the Japanese words “kara” (empty), “te” (hand), and “dō” (way or path).

The Bataan competition featured both “Kata,” which means a set form or a pattern of movement, and “Kumite,” which involves sparring or grappling.

The Shorin Strike team’s medal tally from kata and kumite events included 12 gold, 9 silver, and 8 bronze medals. – Taktikom News & Features

COVER PHOTO: Mayor Omar Ebdane strikes a wacky pose with members of the Shorin Strike karatedo team. (Botolan MIO)