By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Karate Federation of Nigeria (KFN) has described the 5th Japanese Ambassador’s Cup Karate Tournament as a significant milestone in the development of the sport and the strengthening of sporting ties between Nigeria and Japan.
The three-day championship, which ended on Saturday at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, featured cadet, junior and senior karatekas competing in various categories.
Speaking at the tournament, KFN President, Dr Chukwudi Dimkpa, said karate was more than a sporting contest, stressing that the Japanese martial art promotes discipline, integrity, respect and perseverance.
“Karate started in Japan, so this is not just a tournament. It showcases and instills what we have learned over the years: discipline and integrity,” Dimkpa said.
He urged athletes to demonstrate discipline and sportsmanship throughout the competition, while expressing satisfaction with the growth recorded by the tournament.
According to him, the fifth edition attracted more participants and was held in a larger venue compared with last year’s competition, which was staged in a hall.
Dimkpa also commended the partnership between the Embassy of Japan and the KFN, saying the collaboration had contributed significantly to the development and promotion of karate in Nigeria.
He called for stronger cooperation that would create more opportunities for Nigerian athletes to train, compete and showcase their talents internationally.
Addressing concerns over spectator turnout, the KFN president disclosed that the federation had approved the establishment of a Nigerian Karate League.
He explained that the proposed league would adopt a round-robin format and provide year-round competition for karatekas, while also helping to attract sponsors and increase the visibility of the sport.
“Once you have something going on all year round, that attracts the spectators you’re looking for. The sponsors will also come in, and that visibility also gives the sport the viability it needs,” he said.
At the opening ceremony, the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Suzuki Hideo, described the tournament as an important milestone in the sporting relationship between Nigeria and Japan.
Hideo commended the KFN and the Embassy of Japan for sustaining the competition, while congratulating the athletes for their dedication, training and perseverance.
He said karate should not be seen solely as a test of physical strength, noting that it teaches discipline, respect, self-control, perseverance and continuous self-improvement.
The ambassador also highlighted the role of sports diplomacy in bringing people from different countries together, saying shared sporting interests could help overcome language and cultural barriers.
He expressed hope that the competition would continue to grow and inspire more young Nigerians to embrace karate and eventually represent the country on the international stage.
Meanwhile, senior kata athlete Mariam Gimba expressed satisfaction with her performance, describing it as one of her best outings in the category in recent times.
“It feels very good. I feel very happy and very excited,” Gimba said.
She pledged to maintain her form through sustained training and hard work.
Also speaking, Nigeria’s No. 1 male karate player, Olorulbe Oluwaseun, said remaining at the top had required consistency, determination and the support of his coach and teammates.
“It is very easy to climb up, but it’s not easy to stay up. It takes consistency and hard work,” Oluwaseun said.
He identified technical improvement and a deeper understanding of kata as essential to his continued development, urging athletes to focus on mastering the right techniques and striving for perfection.
The 5th Japanese Ambassador’s Cup concluded with renewed calls for greater investment, increased competition and stronger institutional support for karate in Nigeria.
The championship also served as part of Nigeria’s competitive build-up to the 2026 African Karate Championship scheduled to hold in Algiers, Algeria, from September 6 to 13.
