Sport Preview: Karate

Karate makes a welcome return at the Sol2023 Pacific Games, having been absent in Samoa four years ago.

Running on Thursday 23 and Friday 24 November at SIFF Academy, karate will see athletes from five countries (Fiji, Nauru, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands and Tahiti) compete across 18 events, including six team events.

Tahiti will have just one athlete, 18-year-old Kenly Cavanie, who has been participating in karate since the age of six.

The men’s competitions will be individual Kata, team Kata, Kumite 60kg, 67kg, 75kg, 84kg, 84kg+, open and Kumite team.

The women’s competitions will be individual Kata, team Kata, Kumite 50kg, 55kg, 61kg, 68kg, 68kg+, open and Kumite team.

Last time out eight years ago, New Caledonia and Fiji dominated the podium and can be expected to do so again at Sol2023, although athletes from Solomon Islands’ large team, as well as from Nauru and Tahiti, will be eyeing medals.

Returning Port Moresby 2015 gold medallists Adi Kidia of Fiji and Angelique Mondoloni of New Caledonia will have high hopes in the women’s competition.

In the men’s competitions, New Caledonia’s Mathieu Annonier, as well as Vu Duc Minh Dack, will be ones to watch.

Karate begins at 4pm on Thursday at SIFF Academy. Tickets are $30 SBD and can be purchased from Sol2023 ticket boots.

By Jeffson Aghi, Pacific Games News Service