Kisumu top at Inter County Karate championship

David Kimani in action. PHOTO: BEN AHEND

Kisumu County won the men’s Kumite title during the National Inter Counties Karate Championships at Makande Social Hall in Mombasa over the weekend.

Utalii Club were runners-up followed by Nairobi County who defeated Nakuru County to win the play-offs in a tough battle.

The Nakuru team comprised Abubakar Otieno, Paul Kamau, Kevin Mambo, Humphrey Lisemba and Joseph Kaaga.

Nakuru coach Daniel Wainaina admitted having lost to a better side but promised to come back strongly in the next edition of the championships.

“It was one of the toughest matches of the tournament that Nairobi karatekas will live to remember although they beat us,” Wainaina told FeverPitch, yesterday from Mombasa.

Nakuru County who were the defending champions in the men’s Kata category, lost the title to Nairobi who defeated Utalii in the finals.

Nakuru whose team comprised Paul Kamau, Abubakar Otieno and Paul Mbugua emerged third.

In the Kumite women’s category, Nairobi won the title after thrashing the Nakuru team of Rachael Njeri, Alice Wachira, Natasha Narata, Martha Davids and Ummkuthum Mohamed.

The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) team was third. “They (Nakuru) gave out their best against the experienced Nairobians,” said Wainaina.

Nairobi also clinched the ladies Kata title after beating Nakuru in the final. Rachael Njeri, Natasha Narata and Ummkuthum Mohamed of Nakuru emerged the best team in the demonstration in the ladies’ Kata category.

A total of 24 counties attended the one-day competition.

Meanwhile, the Inter Clubs Karate Championships to be hosted in Busia in November will be the last competition in the Kenya Karate Federation Calendar of Events according to Wainaina.
Wainaina, who is also the KKF Rift Valley branch chairman, said they will present a number of teams during the Busia Championships.