TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A total of 459 karatekas from 19 countries in the Asia Pacific region are vying in the Asia Pacific Shitoryu Karate Championship at BRItama Arena Kelapa Gading Jakarta, on November 21-25.

In this 15th championship held every 4 years, Indonesia as the host sent 56 karatekas with the target of becoming the overall champion.

“In the previous championship in Singapore, we occupied the runner-up position. This time, Indonesia’s target is to become the overall champion. Indonesia also wants to host the Shitoryu World Championship, which will be held next year in Japan,” said Iwan Setiawan, the president of Shitoryu Asia Pacific.

Read: Asian Games: Bagging 11th Gold from Karate, Indonesia Remains Top 5

Shitoryu is a karate data-style with members spread across 60 countries.

“The estuary of the Shitoryu international competition is certainly an increase in the quality of our karate school in Indonesia. In the end, we want to contribute as much as we can to the Indonesian karate national team,” Iwan said.

To become the overall champion, Indonesia must at least clinch 50 medals.

TEMPO