Strong start to Shotokan Open with 400 athletes in action

Muscat: The 11th Shotokan Karate Centre Open Championship kicked off at Ahli Sidab Sports Hall in Darsait as part of the Muscat Nights festival, delivering thrilling contests and strong technical performances across junior categories.
The tournament features 400 male and female athletes from 10 countries representing 24 clubs and academies, competing in kata and kumite events, highlighting the growing popularity of karate among youth.
In the boys’ 10-year kata, Jeyad al Fawair of Emperor Academy claimed first place after a commanding performance. Raphael Doss of Shotokan Karate finished second, while Yaseen al Shukaili secured third, with Mahmoud Badr Saleh of Samayil Eagles taking third place jointly.
In the 8-year kata, Aws Khafajah of Tawar topped the podium with a gold-medal performance. Elon Dsouza of The Champ Sports & Arts finished second, followed by Asaad al Fattah of JSKA Oman in third, while Imran al Abri of Karate Champions shared third place.
The 9-year kata saw Zidan Naushad of Emperor Academy secure first place, ahead of Fakhar bin Asaad al Zadjali of Shotokan Karate in second. Aziz al Siyabi and Mutaz Wahab Hamed of Samayil Eagles shared third place.
In the boys’ kumite (8 years, under 25 kg), Ahmed al Salti of Shotokan Centre won gold, with Ahmed Alqanami of Al Qudra Club taking silver. Elon Dsouza and Adam Ahmed al Wardi shared third place.
The under-30 kg kumite category saw strong competition, with Aws Khafajah claiming first place, followed by Salim bin Mohammed al Amri of the National Academy of Individual Games. Omar al Amri and Avyaansh Thakur shared third.
In the 30 kg and above kumite, Martiya of Talent secured the gold medal, while Aous Mohammed al Nuaimani of Karate Champions finished second. Rashid Hamed Rashid and Ibrahim bin Ali al Ghanam shared third.
GIRLS’ COMPETITIONS
The girls’ events also delivered impressive performances and highlighted the steady rise of female participation in karate.
In the 10-year kata, Zaara Assadi of The Champ Sports & Arts claimed first place, followed by Swara Atit Lodaya in second.
Myar al Kamali of Tawar and Wid al Battashi of Shotokan Centre shared third.
Assadi continued her dominance by winning gold in the under-40 kg kumite, while Darine of Talent took silver. Wid al Battashi and Nawar al Shuaili shared third.
In the 8-year kata, Rima al Kamali secured first place, ahead of Dishani Pai in second, with Sharifa al Barwani and Dhruva Sarath sharing third.
The 9-year kata title went to Sanvika Ashbind of Shotokan Centre, while Razan Mohammed Mustafa of Tawar finished second. Navira JK and Yamama al Rawahi shared third place.
In the 9-year kumite (30 kg and above), Fatima al Rasbi of Shotokan Centre won gold, Sara Islam of Karate Champions claimed silver and Advika Nair and Noor al Habsi shared bronze.
Ahmed Khalifa, coach of Al Abtal Karate Club, praised the championship’s high technical standards and strong competition, noting that such tournaments play a key role in developing players’ skills through exposure and match experience.