MUSCAT: Oman’s national karate team is stepping up its preparations for the 24th Asian Karate Championships for Cadets, Juniors and Under-21 athletes, which will be held in Amman, Jordan, from September 8 to 11.
The continental championships, one of the major events on the Asian calendar for youth karate, will be staged at the Arena Hall in Al Hussein Youth City and are expected to attract around 350 athletes representing 30 Asian countries.
Oman will compete in the kumite events through Al Yaqdhan al Abdali, Mohammed al Shabibi, Mukhtar al Omari and Sharifa al Shabibi, who will take part in different age groups and weight categories.
The Omani delegation is headed by , while the national team’s technical programme is being overseen by international coach Ali bin Said al Shabibi.
The team has been following an intensive preparation programme designed to ensure the athletes enter the championships at peak readiness. Training has focused on physical conditioning, technical execution and tactical awareness, as well as mental preparation, reaction speed and precision in offensive and defensive techniques.
Al Shabibi has also been working to address technical weaknesses identified during the preparation period while building on the athletes’ strengths. Tactical plans are being refined to enable the Omani competitors to respond effectively to the different styles and approaches expected from their Asian opponents.
OMANI REFEREES TO OFFICIATE
Oman’s participation is aimed not only at achieving positive results but also at providing the young athletes with valuable exposure against some of the continent’s leading competitors. The experience is expected to play an important role in their long-term development as they prepare for future regional, Asian and international competitions.
Oman’s representation in Amman will extend beyond the competition area, with seven Omani referees also participating in the championships. They are Yousef al Siyabi, Hilal al Abdali, Mohammed al Hinai, Adil al Hinai, Tariq al Raisi, Khalifa al Rasbi and Zulfa al Kindi.
The presence of seven officials underlines the growing standing of Omani karate refereeing and the confidence placed in national officials at major continental events. The referees will participate in Asian courses and examinations held alongside the championships before contributing to the officiating of bouts.
Their involvement will also provide an opportunity to gain further experience and keep abreast of the latest interpretations and applications of International Karate Federation rules, with the knowledge expected to be transferred to domestic competitions in Oman.
The participation is part of the Oman Karate Committee’s wider efforts to develop the national teams, strengthen technical and officiating standards and expand the country’s presence on the international karate stage.
The championships will also feature several prominent figures from the international and Asian karate community, including World Karate Federation President Antonio Espinos and Asian Karate Federation President Major General Nasser al Razouqi.
As the championships draw closer, Oman will be looking to translate its intensive preparations into strong performances, while the combined presence of its athletes and officials is expected to further highlight the steady development of karate in the Sultanate of Oman.
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