Asian youth karate open, training camp kicks off in Wuhan

Feet and fists fly at the opening ceremony of the Asian Youth Karate Open and Training Camp. [Photo provided to en.whkfq.gov.cn]

The Asian Youth Karate Open and Training Camp kick-started on Aug 11 at the Wuhan Sports Center, located in the Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone – in Wuhan, capital of Central China's Hubei province.

The five-day event has attracted 58 teams and nearly 450 athletes from 14 countries and regions, including China, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Malaysia.

It's the first time that an intercontinental-level youth karate event has been held in China.

Following the opening ceremony, athletes will participate in two days of intensive pre-competition training led by a team of distinguished instructors, including Olympic champion Sajad Ganjzadeh and other renowned karate exponents. The official competitions will take place on Aug 13-15.

Rashid Al-Ali, vice-president of the Asian Karate Federation, announces the opening of the event. [Photo provided to en.whkfq.gov.cn]

In addition to the competition, the event will feature cultural exhibitions showcasing karate's history, as well as the rich cultural heritage of Hubei province. The activities aim to promote the sport, enhance the city's image and foster cultural exchanges and friendship among Asian youth.

The Wuhan Sports Group, with its world-class facilities and extensive experience in hosting major events, is moving to ensure a top-tier experience for all participants – contributing to the high-quality development of karate and enhancing Wuhan's profile as a global sports city.

An overview of the Wuhan Sports Center. [Photo provided to en.whkfq.gov.cn]