Bandar Seri Begawan - Six karate exponents graduated with 2nd dan, 3rd dan and 4th dan senior black belt grading at the Shitoryu Karate Association Brunei Darussalam (Shitokai) last Sunday.

The senior black belt grading was conducted by the president of Shitokai Black Belt Council, Sihan Pg Yura Kesteria, and Shitokai chief instructor Sihan Alwie See Seng Kiat at the Busiido Dojo, Berakas,

New training grounds or 'dojo' and Shitokai school clubs will be opened to promote a strong spirit of sportsmanship in the country and to select potential athletes who may represent the nation at international sports meets, the association said.

The training grounds will train everyone for physical fitness, to learn the art of self-defence, to control the mind and spirit towards character development and to serve as a platform to train for combat.

Shitoryu style of karate is distinctive through its art of blocking to destroy the opponent's attacking motion and also stances.

Every participant must exercise self-discipline and be determined as the Shitoryu style has many kata or formations, and places strong emphasis on sparring.

The training assists to select potential athletes to represent the nation in regional or international karate competitions and to assign members for seminars or conferences to further upgrade their knowledge and quality of sportsmanship in Brunei.

Formed more than 20 years ago, the association has 210 active Shitokai members. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

SPORTS medicine in the country is set to get a shot in the arm with the 2nd International Olympic Committee (IOC) Sports Medicine Course.

The four-day event at a hotel in the capital kicked off yesterday with the aim of providing participants the opportunity to better understand the basic principles and concepts underlying sports medicine and sports science.

Organised by the Department of Youth and Sports and the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BNOC), the course’s objectives are to raise the awareness of local sports personnel and athletes in the fields of athletic training, doping control, exercise, physical therapy and sports trauma.

The President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BNOC) His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah officially declared the course open.

Twenty papers will be delivered by seven authorities from Asia over the duration of the course, with a workshop on first aid and resuscitation on Thursday afternoon marking the event’s climax.

This year marks the second time that Brunei has been given the privilege to host the event, the first being in 1998.

Conducted under the auspices of the IOC Medical Commission and funded by the Olympic Solidarity, 300 participants comprising members of the local and foreign medical profession and sporting fraternity are attending the course.

In his speech, the Chairman of the Medical Commission of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) said that the response for the course was better than expected.

“I am thoroughly impressed with the turnout,” said Datuk Dr M Jegathesan, who is on the panel of speakers.

“One of the key elements in deciding which country should host the course was a previous track record, and we were happy with Brunei’s efforts during the first course.

“The purpose of this course is to impart knowledge in sports science to all here, and we hope to extend its critical mass (of knowledge),” added the Deputy President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM).

Other speakers include Maj Gen Dr C Thurairaja, Datuk Dr Ramlan Abd Aziz, Professor Sukadiyanto and Dr Nazar Luqman Bilgrami.

Dr Hj Danish Zaheer, Head of Sports Medicine and Research Centre under the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports will be delivering three papers and Brunei’s Ilham Hj Mohd Ali will deliver a paper on “Nutrition for Elite Athletes” tomorrow.

Adviser to the Medical Committee of the SEA Games Federation (SEAGF) and Honorary Medical Adviser of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), Datuk Dr M Jegathesan presented papers on the Olympic Movement Medical Code, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) Standards and WADA Anti-Doping Code 2009 yesterday.

Maj Gen Dr C Thurairaja talked about “Pre-Sports Participation Examination” while Professor Sukadiyanto gave an overview of Sports Psychology.

It will be a busy day for participants today with seven papers set to be delivered; “Adolescent and Children in Sports”, “Elite Athlete Training Principles”, “Pre-Competition Routines in Sports”, “Principles of Sports Injury Rehabilitation”, “Sexual Harassment and Abuse in Sports”, “Sports Biomechanics and Performance”, and lastly, “Sudden Cardiovascular Death in Sports”.

Tomorrow’s focus will be on “Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Knee Deficit in Women”, “Goal-Setting Techniques in Sports”, “Health Consequence of Doping and Nutrition for Elite Athletes”.

A workshop on taping is also in the programme.

Talks on “Fieldside Assessment of Injuries”, “International Development in Sports Science and Physical Education”, “Stress Management in Sports and Women in Sports” will be delivered on Thursday. Courtesy of BruneiTimes

Brunei Darussalam contingent now added its medal tally collection with first gold medal through Pencak Silat Men’s Tunggal event in the 25th SEA Games Laos. Haji Md Khairul Bahrin Haji Duraman easily became Brunei hero with the first gold from 28 other athletes for the sultanates.

Meanwhile on day four of the competitions, Brunei bagged 3 more medals. Brunei women’s karate-do veteran, Masdiana Haji Tengah who competes in the 50kg and below finished with bronze.

In the women’s Wushu Duilian category, Brunei athletes Faustina Woo Wai and partner, Lee Ying Shi scooped first silver medal for the sultanate’s. Meanwhile also in the Wushu Men Duilian with weapon category, a twin brother Isa bin Bismi and Ismi bin Bismi won the bronze medal.

Three days after an official launching of the 25th Sea Games competitions, Brunei Darussalam now can be seen in the medals table after scooping three bronze medals through karate-do events.

Men's kumite 84 kg and above categories specialist, Mohammad Jamil Haji Abdul Hamid became the first sultanate's athlete to claim the first bronze medal after stamping over Thailand's Santi Ruema 7-2.

In the men's kumite 67 kg and below, Mohammad Fadillah Sanif secure its podium place for Brunei's second bronze yesterday after outclassed Sovan Kiri 9-1 from Cambodia.

Another Cambodian athlete, Eng Kakada became the next victims to the sultanate's new comers to represents Brunei National teams, Mainudin Haji Mohammad in the men's 84 kg and below events. With style, Mainuddin won the fight by 11-3 to made 3 bronze for Brunei in day three of the competitions.

While in the women's 55kg and below category, Dayangku Nurleha binte Pengiran Abdul Rahman who is also her first appearance in SEA Games failed her bid for podium finish.

In the day four of the competitions today, Brunei's martial arts participations in karate-do and taekwando events will be hoping for another medals collections to see four more categories. Womens veteran Masdiana Haji Tengah will competes in 50kg and below category, Mohammad Fadillah in the men's 67kg and below category, Mohd Fida'iy Haji Sanif in the men's 60kg and below category and Haji Eddie Jofriani Haji Johari in the men's 55kg and below category.

Whilst Brunei's only representatives in taekwando quarter-finals events, Mohd Fathullah Mohd Taib will be also competing today in the finweight division against Tan Junwei from Singapore.

The 25th episode of the South-East Asian Games is just around the corner. Laos will be hosting the 10-day games, which will kicks-off on the 9th December 2009 and Brunei will be participating in the events.

Brunei athletes route to the big Asian games, 13 chosen athletes were sent to participated in the 10-day Asian Indoor Games, hosted by the Qyan Ngua Sports Palace in Hanoi. Kicked off on 29th October 2009, the Sultanate contingents which remarks its first participations only took parts in 3 sports event, 9-balls single events, Wushu and Pencak Silat.

The contingents bagged 1 silver medal from pencak silat-sisters Norleyermah & Norleyharyanti Binte Haji Raya combined with Nurul Aimi Zainidi. While 6 more medals came from Wushu participants.

Also participating was HRH Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office in the 9-ball singles event.

Favourite's, China finished the top table list with 48 gold, 25 silver and 19 bronze. Whilist, host Vietnam came second with 42 gold, 30 silver and 22 bronze. Kazakhstn were third with 21 gold, 16 silver and 21 bronze medals.

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, The President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BNOC), held a meeting last saturday, 7 Feb 2009 with regards to the progress of the Sultanate's athletes for the 2009 Laos Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

The 25th SEA Games will be held in Vientiane, Laos from Dec 12-21 this year. From the meeting last november, the host nation council stated that, 25 sports would be contested in the tournament.

The main aim of the meeting which was held at the Meeting Room of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium discussed on the athletes performances and their selection process. No athlestes has been confirmed for the Laos Games yet, but it is stated that no representative from table tennis and weight-lifting will be going for the tournament, due to their games standard.

The meeting were also attended by Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Ahmad Hj Jumat, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, officials from the ministry as well as representatives of 17 local sports associations. As for the record from the last tournament in Korat, Thailand, from 57 athletes competing in 12 sports, our contingents bagged one gold, one silver and four bronze medals.

Before the year 2008 ended few months back, few weeks after the born of sportsbrunei, we did come up with this idea on thinking what will be the most popular sports in Brunei Darussalam. So sitting, thinking of what to write on this blog should be related to what most people like to know on the sporting events in Brunei and regionally...

One evening, while learning on how to actually do blogging, I've seen the word poll on the widget (seen this few times, but overlook if this actually helps), so we decided to take this opportunity to have this on sportsbrunei. But, I only manage to think of 8 sports on the lists (badminton, basketball, futsal, netball, soccer, softball/baseball, swimming & tennis).

As the poll runs, soccer remains as the most popular choices amongst our readers here with 50% of the votes, followed by futsal and badminton/swimming with 37% & 19% respectively. Basketball, netball & tennis finish up with 7% while 1% goes to softball/baseball. From these poll results, most of the time, sportsbrunei will be covering soccer games, but from time to time, other sports will be as much as possible not to be left behind.

Also, we would like to thank for all the readers as well as the chatters who left some comments on our shoutbox. As question by the red, he liked to see coverage on track & field events...and hopefully, that will be done accordingly. Again thanks for all the supports, hope to see great sporting events coverage oppurtunity this year all.

It has been a week that I couldn't update the sport news. Something has come up last week. Now here is the medadl tally for the 6th BIMP-EAGA which come to an end last sunday, 30th November 2008. Hosting the 6th game for the first time, Brunei Darussalam 'A' only managed to bag 12 gold, 9 silver and 14 bronze. While Brunei Darussalam 'B' finished with 6 silver and 2 bronze medals. Keep up the sports spirits.

After day two, Brunei bagged 4 gold, 3 silver, 4 bronze from the Pencak Silat, where 48 medals were put to stake. Three categories will resumes this morning which will begins with Awaluddin – S. Sulawesi vs M. Agus Hayatullah from S. Kalimantan for ‘A’ Class men category. Followed by the ‘B’ class women category will saw Faizawati Rahdar from S. Sulawesi Vs Sainah Rahman of Sarawak. The final events will be the Brunei ‘B’ athletes Md Azmi Dzulkifli vs Ahmad Jayadi from S. Sulawesi for ‘B’ class men category.

Today 30th December will remarks the final day for the 6th BIMP-EAGA Firendship Games in Brunei Darussalam. All the 7 competitives event will resume where most of the games will enter its final rounds. Listed below would be the schedule games for today:-

As for the closing ceremony would be held at the Indoor Stadium by 4pm. The stadium is open to public to give the morale supports. The Honourable Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Ahmad bin Haji Jumat, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Brunei Darussalam will be the guest of Honour to officially ended the game before handed game flag to the next game host nation.

Less than 24 hours before the games started, I was physically inside the house again to accompany friend and finalize some unfinished duty with regards to the game preparations. Got some chances to snap some shots and might be worth sharing here..'sorry for the pic's quality, im only armed with HTC Diamond'. Here we go....