Philippine karate team looks to use SEA Championship as test for upcoming Cambodia SEA Games

As the Philippine Karate Team competes in the 10th Southeast Asia Karate Federation Championships from Friday until Sunday, the national team is also using the tournament as preparation for the upcoming 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.

Karate Pilipinas Sports Federation Richard Lim said many of the competitors in the tournament which will be hosted by the Philippines will also be joining the biennial meet, making this somehow a simulation of the Cambodia games.

"They (national team) have been training since last year and this is part of the preparation for the Southeast Asian Games. Basically the competitors competing here are the same competitors in the SEA Games," Lim said in Vonne Aquino's report on Balitanghali on Friday.

Among the countries who sent delegations to the Philippines are Vietnam, Cambodia, Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Laos, and Myanmar.

One participant is World Games and SEA Games gold medalist Junna Tsukii who even competed and trained abroad as part of her preparation for the tournament.

"Sa World Games and other championships, we need a rank so sometimes I travel alone," Tsukii said. "I went to Serbia training camp and joined this training with teammates and new coaches. I prepared for two months for these competitions."

("In the World Games and other championships, we need a rank so sometimes I travel alone. I went to Serbia training camp and joined this training with teammates and new coaches. I prepared for two months for these competitions.")

Sakura Alforte and Lemon Misu, who are also Fil-Japanese like Tsukii, will also join the tournament.

The Southeast Asian Championships are held in the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex where fans can watch for free.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA Integrated News