With the martial arts’ steady global growth, the World Karate Federation has introduced its new motto, “The World is Our Dojo,” which will be unveiled during the Karate One Youth League presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, kicking off on May 14 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“The WKF chose the motto ‘The World is Our Dojo’ because karate’s popularity has grown immensely over the years. The federation now has 200 members worldwide, and counting,” said Karate Pilipinas Sports Federation, Inc. president Richard Lim.
“Virtually anywhere on the planet, there is a karate gym so the WKF can rightfully say that ‘The World is Our Dojo.
“The fact that we have 59 competing countries and close to 1,000 karatekas worldwide coming over underscores the deep influence of this native Japanese discipline in becoming a universal combat sport,” added the karate chief of the meet, backed by the SM Group of Companies and the Philippine Olympic Committee.
He also disclosed that the early arrival of a seven-member Malaysian junior squad last Wednesday has already set the tone, with the team currently training and sparring with local counterparts at the Association for the Advancement of Karatedo gym in Mandaluyong.
“These Malaysian karatekas are among the best they have and show how our Southeast Asian neighbor is keen on doing well in the competition,” said Lim of the campaigners in the meet, also supported by Lanson’s Place, Milo, and Citadines Bay Hotel Manila.
The bulk of the Malaysian delegation is set to arrive tomorrow, along with other overseas contingents led by the 78-member Australian squad, followed by Saudi Arabia’s 40 and New Zealand’s 39.
Participants in the Karate One Youth League presented by the PSC will be feted to a welcome dinner on Wednesday hosted by the Department of Tourism before action officially begins the following day at the Mall of Asia Arena.
A fiesta-like atmosphere will highlight the second day of competition, with the opening ceremony in the afternoon featuring drum beaters, cultural dancers, a laser show, and a parade of flags in the youth karate showcase also supported by Senators Christopher “Bong” Go and Pia Cayetano.
POC president Bambol Tolentino, PSC chairman Pato Gregorio, WKF president Antonio Espinós, Milo senior vice president Veronica Cruz, and Carlo Sampan, Milo Philippines assistant vice president and head for sports, are among those expected to grace the festive occasion.
There will be 34 categories in both kumite (sparring) and kata (forms) across the Under-14, 12–13 years old division, Cadets 14–15, and Junior 16–17, in both boys’ and girls’ divisions.
