Team Nigeria set for Croatia 2022 World Shitoryo Karate Championship

The Nigeria Shitoryu Karate team will participate in the “2022 World Championship billed for Varadzin, Croatia, on June 10.

According to the president of the Nigeria Shitoryu Karate Union (NSKU), Shihan Victor Akhimien, the global body invited Nigeria to join the rest of the world to compete for honours and ranking points in the championship to promote the sport in the country.

Akhimien said having recognised the immense contributions and commitment to developing Shitoryu Karate, the world body is ready to give Nigerian athletes the platform to hone their skills and gain more experience and exposure in the sport.

According to the president, the world Shitoryu Karate Championship will feature over 30 countries slug in different weight categories in both the men’s and women’s cadre.

“This will be the first time Nigeria is competing at any world competition in the sport. We are working with the world federation, which means all the athletes who have been competing in WKF events know where they stand.”

So, the rankings will be used to select the best Shitoryu athletes who will represent Nigeria at the championship,” he said.

Akhimien, who doubles as the technical director of Nigeria Mixed Martial Arts Federation (NMMAF), added that arrangements are on for a successful hosting of a national competition in MMA.