Karate ‘World Cup’ kicks off today at Waterfront

CEBU, Philippines - Over 300 karateka from 14 countries will converge in the Queen City of the South today for the formal opening of the 2nd International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF) World Shoto Cup 2012 at the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Sanctioned by the Philippines Sports Commission (PSC), the four-day event is by far the biggest karate tournament to hit the Philippine soil.

Led by host Phl and defending champion United States, the rest of the participating nations are South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Iran, Lebanon, India, Argentina, Germany, Egypt, Israel, Switzerland and Canada, which hosted the inaugural edition in 2008.

Initially, Phl was given the right to stage the quadrennial gathering of karate masters from all over the world on 2020 yet.

However, Phl was given the privilege to hold the Shoto Cup after Barbados backed out from its hosting chores this year.

The categories to be contested are the juniors (8 to 17 years old), adult (18-44) and seniors (45-above) in both kata (forms) and kumite (sparring) competitions.

The first two days are alloted for seminar, clinics, meetings and judges examinations, while the tournament proper will be on November 10-11.

The country with the most number of gold medals won will be declared as the overall champion.—

Cebu City Olympics unwraps this pm

All roads lead to the Cebu City Sports Center this afternoon as the 22nd Cebu City Olympics formally opens with another grandioese ceremony that is expected to last for four hours.

The highlight of the affair is the presentation of certification of the Guinness World Record to be led by Cebu City Sports Commission chairman Edward Hayco. Two years ago, Cebu established a world record for the biggest dance class that is now officially recognized by the prestigious Guinness.

The kick-off bash promptly starts with the traditional parade of competing teams at 1 pm.

Mayor Michael L. Rama banners the list of luminaries invited to grace the event. He will be joined by councilor Joey Daluz III, Department of Education (DepEd) officials led by Cebu City Schools Division Superintendent Rhea Mar Angtud. Daluz has also been tasked to formally declare the four-day tournament open.

Bemedalled swimmer Michael Ichiro Kong from the University of Cebu  will do the honor of lighting the symbolic urn of peace and unity, arnis coach Max Caballes will spearhead the oath of sportsmanship, while Milo Little Olympics MVP Dexter Opalla will lead the oath of amateurism.

The other side events to look forward to are the selection of Miss Cebu City Olympics 2012 and the cheerdance competition.  

Aside from the medal-rich athletics and swimming, the other events to be contested include archery, arnis, badminton, baseball, basketball, boxing, chess, dancesport, football, gymnastics, karatedo, tennis, scrabble, sepak takraw, softball, table tennis, taekwondo, and volleyball.

The top performers of the multi-sport joust will earn the right to represent Cebu City in the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) Meet in the first week of December in Dumaguete City.

The CVIRAA Meet is the region's qualifying for the 2013 Palarong Pambansa, which will also be hosted by Dumaguete. — EBV (FREEMAN)