Arunachal karatekas to represent India in World Cup

Itanagar, Jul 26 (UNI) Tafung Dolo and Debia Yakap, both black belt second dan of Shotokan karate, has been selected to represent India in the 20th Funakhosi Guchin Shoto World Cup 2006, beginning from August 14 in Sydney.

This is the third time that Arunachale karatekas from Shoto Kan, a distinct discipline in karate, will participate in international event.

Both Dolo and Debia have been picked by the selection committee of Japan Karate Association of India on the basis of their performance in national and international level competitions, informed official sources here today.

While Ms Debia had won a gold medal in the 19th AIKF National Championship held in Chennai, Dolo grabbed a silver medal in the same championship. He has also won a silver medal in the 23rd edition of the championship held in Goa.

Ms Debia, who had represented India in the 6th Asia international Karate Championship at Macau, China in 2005, had so far participated in a number of regional as well as national level tournaments. In 2001, she bagged a silver medal at the national karate championship held at Meerut.

In 2003, she bagged a bronze medal at the 20th JKIF sponsored national championship held in Mumbai. In the same year, she bagged another bronze medal at the 17th NE sports festival held at Aizawal.

In 2004, she had won two gold and a silver medals in different categories at the first NE karate federation championship held at Naharlagun.

UNI UPB BA AY DS1231