The Japanese ambassador in Rwanda, Takayuki Miyashita, has pledged that his country will continue supporting the local Karate Federation to help develop the sport in the country.

Miyashita was speaking as the guest of honour during the closing of the 2017 Karate Ambassador’s Cup at Amahoro Indoor Stadium on Sunday.

He said: "I applaud the Rwanda Karate federation for the good job they doing in promoting the sport. Our cooperation with Rwanda is very good and Japan will continue to support Karate development in Rwanda.”

The envoy thanked those who took part in the annual competition, adding that he hoped Rwanda will have a big number of participants at the

2020 Olympic Games which will be staged in Japan.

The one-day event attracted 20 teams in four different categories namely; Men’s Kata, Men’s Kumite, Women’s Kata and Women’s Kumite.

ZEN B Karate Club won the Men’s Kumite category beating Mamaru in the final, with Lion finishing third. University of Rwanda’s College of Arts and Social Sciences (UR-CASS) claimed the Women’s Kumite title while Flying Eagles and Okapi-Karate finished in second and third positions, respectively.

In the Men’s Kata category, Maramu were crowned champions defeating Lion in the final, while Zen finished third. Cyuzuzo Sakina (UR-CASS) won the female individual Kata title after defeating Ishimwe Sandrine (Nyaruguru), while Nancy Kambida (UR-CASS) took bronze.

At the closure of the competition, Rwanda Karate Federation (FERWAKA) president Theogene Uwayo expressed gratitude to the Japanese embassy for the continued support.

This was the second edition of the competition following the inaugural one in 2014.

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