SPORTS and Culture Minister Joseph Habineza has commended Japan Ambassador Cup, a karate tournament which was held yesterday at Lycee de Kigali.

The inaugural one-day event featured four different categories namely; men’s Kata, men’s Kumite, women’s Kata and women’s Kumite.

Remera-based Lion Karate club won the Men’s Kumite category beating University of Rwanda- Huye Campus in the final, APR finished third. 

Mamaru club claimed the men’s Kata event with Police and Zen-Karate-do finishing second and third respectively.

In women’s Kumite, Flying Eagles were crowned champions defeating Nyamagabe A in the final, while Zen-Karate-Do beat Nyamagabe A to take the Kata title. Nyamagabe B and Flying Eagle took third place in both categories respectively.

At the end of the competition, Minister Habineza, who also the guest of honor of the event said:  "I thank Japan’s embassy for this initiative to support our Karate, also thanks to the Karate federation, organizers and participants in general.”

He promised the Karate federation support from the ministry.

The Japanese embassy-sponsored tournament attracted sixteen teams including; 12 for men and four women’s teams, and it will be organised annually.