JEDDAH — The Multinational Karate Championship 2015, organized by Star Karate Club (SKC), came to a successful conclusion here recently. The championship, which covered 125 events, had started on Dec 5 last year with events conducted every Thursday at Biladi International School Aziziyah. SKC joined hands with the Association of Indian Professionals (AIP) to organize the event. More than 100 athletes, from different nationalities, participated in categories such as kata, sparring, team spanning and kick controlling. In the black belt kata competition India's Ayonjan Saha bagged gold medal, while Pakistan's Osama Irfan Khan and Umar Nazeer were declared second and third. Mahmood Syed of India finished 4th. In the black belt weapon's competition, Pakistan's Umar Nazeer claimed the gold by performing a dedicated bharata, the Indian stick kata. In the short weapon, Usama Irfan Khan of Pakistan stunned hundreds of audience by performing double Nun-chaku kata and clinched the gold, while Ayonjan Saha and Ateeq Altaf of India came in second and third. In the brown belt A category (spaning), Mathew Tommy of India won the gold, while Khaled Affan and Harish Sai Kumar followed in the second and third spots. In the brown belt B group, Mohammed Azhar Al-Aqqad of Saudi Arabia won the gold medal, while Faiz Lateef and Abhishek Menon of India followed. In the brown belt C group, Adnan Saadat of India cinched the gold medal, Akif Lateef silver and and Pulkit Syal bronze. In the color belt, Umar Nishwan of Palestine won the gold medal, Mohammed Imran Ahmed silver and Talha Lateef silver. Chief guest Grand Master M.S. Jaweed and co-founder of SKC Abdul Qayuum, black belt 5th Dan, were invited from India to attend the program. SKC founder Mohammed Ishaq, black belt 6th Dan, and AIP President Mohammed Irfan Qureshi made the event memorable. Chief Patron of Star Black Belt Federation Sheikh Hisham Shawli, chairman Syed Khaja Viqaruddin and Patron of SKC, Dr. Sayeed Ali Mahmood, Mohammed Khaleel, founder Dammam SKC club and M.A. Majeed Khan, Instructor Riyadh SKC, were present as special guests. Master Mohammed Habeeb, black belt 3rd Dan, was the chief referee for the events. The championship materialized through the support of Tata Motors, AIP, Dream India, Dream Avenue, Jotun Paints and Al-Raya Group. Chief SKC Organizer, Master Mohammed Ishaq, gave the vote of thanks. — SG
