Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Apr 29: The 30th All India Budokan Karate Federation National Championship- 2012 was held from May 20 to 22 at Environmental Hall Lawns, Handwara, 80Kms from Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. 

More than 400 competitors from 17 states took part in this championship which included events like individual kata, individual kumite, team kata, weapon kata and rotation team kumite.

A team of 30 members represented Karnataka state in this competition out of which more than 20 participants were from the Institute of Karate and Allied Arts (IKAA) Mangalore led by chief instructor Kyoshi Praveen Kumar (black belt 8th dan).

Karnataka state won the overall championship followed by Andhra Pradesh who won the second place and Tamil Nadu at the third place. The hosts Jammu and Kashmir came to a close fourth followed by Maharashtra.

Sharath Kumar from IKAA Mangalore who won four gold medals was adjudged as the best fighter and was also awarded a special prize by the Indian Army.

Shihan Balakrishna Alva and Shihan Anand Devadiga were chief of Tatamis in the competition. 

Sensei Shivaprasad Acharya, Sensei Kishore B, Sensei Lohish Pinto, Sensei Naveen Kalmadi were the other officials from IKAA Mangalore served as referees in the competition along with other senior referees from all over India.

Following members of IKAA Mangalore represented Karnataka and won several medals
Sharath Kumar - 4 gold 
Pooja Jain - 3 gold
Bhoomika - 3 gold
Saloni - 3 gold
Reshma - 2 gold
Shiva Prasad Acharya – 3 gold, 1 silver 
Arjun Deori - 1 gold, 1 bronze
Lohish Pinto - 2 gold, 1 silver