“This is the biggest international karate event ever held in Indonesia,” Prof. Hermawan “Kikiek” Sulistyo, Patron of Dojo Renzo, said in the hallway of Ciracas Sports Center on Friday (01/07/2022) .
No less than 1,800 national and foreign karatekas participated in the RIOK 2022 Championship to win the Minister of the Interior Tito Karnavian Cup. “The atmosphere of the championship was made in such a way that it seemed fun. Because a lot of participants are in the children’s category,” added Kikiek.
The GOR with a capacity of 5,000 seats has been full of spectators since the morning. In addition to the general public, parents of athletes from Jakarta and surrounding areas were enthusiastically present, athletes and guests.
There are five tatami mats in the arena. All kata and kumite acts, juniors, seniors and cadets, are competed from the preliminary round to the final. The whole number is estimated to be completed at 7:05 p.m. WIB.
Indian Karate Contingent Coordinator, Mr. Midhum admitted that he was very happy to participate in the 2022 RIOK Championship. “This is our second visit. The first in Bali. We are happy to come to Jakarta,” said Midhum.
The Indian contingent was reinforced by 13 people, made up of 11 athletes and two officials. They track all numbers, in the kata and kumite categories. “The RIOK championship is very well organised. We are very impressed,” he added.
Earlier, Kikiek hailed the arrival of the Indian contingent at the entrance of Ciracas Sports Center. Midhum said thank you very much, for providing satisfactory facilities. “We have prepared accommodation and consumption for free. You just need to buy a return ticket,” Kikiek told Midhum. Midhum laughed happily and thanked him.
Inevitably, GOR Ciracas not only became a karate championship event but also boosted the economic sector. The space under the arena and part of the courtyard is used for food bazaars, karate equipment and other sportswear.
One of the boots that caught the attention of visitors was the Dynamix boot as one of the event sponsors. Dynamix provides a game arena called DinaFun. The form is a Dragon Punch Boxing machine or an arcade simulator in foreign terms.
A number of participants were registered, and then each had the opportunity to hit the target twice. The achievement with the highest score receives “a bag of Dynamix cement” as a prize. Not real cement, but a soft pillow designed to look like a bag of cement.
Not only that. There are at least three selfie spots (photo boot) provided by the organizing committee. On the front is a large banner of the title of champion with a large inscription at the top: “Home Of The Champions”. Behind, a large banner with a photo of sensei Prof. Hermawan Sulistyo in kicking position (geri). Further back there are photos of interesting karate galleries.
As a result, the first day of the Renzo International Open Karate Championship 2022 was very successful and lively. “The glory of this event breaks down the barriers of the college. Every karateka, wherever he comes from, I don’t care. Please show your accomplishments here,” Kikiek said. ***
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