Karate to be introduced in Olympics 2012

Tiruchirapalli, Jan 5: Efforts were on to include karate as an exhibition game in the 2012 Olympics to be held in London, according to Keiji Tomiyama, President Joint Chief Instructor, Shito-Ryu Karate-Do Kofukan International England.

Mr Tomiyama, who was here in connection with providing latest training to the students of Kofukan Shoto Ryu Karate school yesterday, told media that their efforts would be successful to introduce Karate as an exhibition game in the 2012 Olympics. It would be included as a regular game in the 2016 Olympic games onwards, he added.

Mr Tomiyama, who is also 7th Dan Tasshi Shihan, said an international Karate event would be held at Kobe in Japan in August this year in which about 20 countries including India are expected to participate.

To a question, he said ''the participation of ladies in Karate is very popular in European countries and Japan, where as in India it is yet to pickup its momentum.'' Mr M Kanagaraj, Chief of the Country's Kofukan Shoto Ryu Karate school and Technical Director of All India Karate DO Federation, said a ten-member karate team from Tamil Nadu would participate in the 2009 national games to be held in Jharkhand from February 15 to 28.

Mr Kanagaraj, who is also Tournament Director for Karate event in the ensuing 2009 national games, said karate teams from 15 states are expected to participate in the games.

OneIndia News (With inputs from Agencies)