Muscat: Qatar’s Tawar Club emerged champions of the 11th Shotokan Karate Centre(SKC) Open Championship, staged as part of the Muscat Nights festival, while hosts Shotokan Karate Centre finished runners-up at the conclusion of the tournament at Ahli Sidab Sports Hall in Darsait.
The two-day event featured intense and action-packed contests, bringing together 400 male and female athletes from 10 countries representing 24 clubs and academies, who competed in kata and kumite (sparring) across various age groups.
The closing ceremony and prize presentation were held under the patronage of Dr Faisal Al Maawali, Chairman of the Oman Karate Committee, who crowned the winners and honoured the top-performing teams.
OVERALL STANDINGS
In the overall club rankings, Tawar Club topped the standings with 49 medals, including 26 gold, 15 silver and 8 bronze medals, earning the championship trophy and a cash prize of RO 1,000.
SKC finished second with an impressive total of 99 medals (13 gold, 18 silver and 68 bronze), receiving the runners-up trophy and RO 750.
The Champ Sports & Arts secured third place with 35 medals (13 gold, 6 silver and 16 bronze), while Emperor Club placed fourth with 20 medals (8 gold, 6 silver and 6 bronze).
The final day featured a series of strong contests across youth and senior categories. In the men’s over-30 kata, Yaseen al Lawati of Karate Champions Club claimed first place, followed by Asaad al Amri in second and Talal al Marhoubi in third.
In the men’s over-30 kumite, Hamza al Kaabi of Al Qudra Club won gold. In the under-30 kumite (-65 kg), Idrees Al Batrani of Karate Champions Club secured first place.
In the under-30 kata, Jishnu Balachandran captured the gold medal, Mohammed Arif finished second, and Mohammed Mahdi and Hussein Surour shared third.
WOMEN’S CATEGORIES
In the women’s senior kumite (18 years and above), Aster Rai secured first place, followed by Suzan Mohammed in second, while Halima al Balushi and Sheikha al Wahibi shared third.
In the 18 years and above kata division, Kajol Majdi Mwiangi won gold, Hemlata Ranjit finished second, and Sheikha al Wahibi and Halima al Balushi shared bronze.
Following the awards ceremony, Dr Sadiq bin Mohammed al Issa, Secretary-General of the Oman Karate Committee, said, Hosting the Shotokan Championship within Muscat Nights adds real value to karate both locally and internationally. It helps expand the sport’s reach, highlights national talents, and gives players vital opportunities for competition and experience.
Our focus is not only on winning titles, but on spreading the game and developing athletes through continuous tournaments, training programs, and international participation to strengthen karate across Oman.
Navas Mokeri, Chairman of the SKC, said the team’s second-place finish reflects years of hard work since the centre’s founding in 1999 at Ahli Sidab Club. He noted that Shotokan focuses on discipline and technical development, adding that the goal is to strengthen preparations and aim for first place in future editions.
He praised the tournament’s strong organisation and competitiveness, highlighting the participation of more than 400 players, and affirmed the centre’s commitment to continuing to continue participating in and host international competitions to develop in Oman.
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