Malanginspirasi.com – The spirit of sportsmanship and achievement burned brightly at GOR Ken Arok in Malang City, as the 2025 Malang Mayor’s Cup Karate Championship officially opened. A total of 311 athletes from 18 contingents participated in this Karate Championship Open & Festival, which was formally inaugurated by Malang Mayor Wahyu Hidayat on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
Beyond a mere competition, the championship serves as a vital platform for the development and selection of athletes, particularly those preparing for the East Java Provincial Sports Week (Porprov) IX in 2025. This strategic focus underscores the event’s significance in nurturing local talent and bolstering the region’s athletic prowess.
In his address, Mayor Hidayat emphasized the pivotal role of the championship in supporting Malang City’s vision of becoming a “Mbois Berkelas” city – a phrase implying a classy and exceptional urban center.
This vision is propelled by the “Ngalam Tahes” program, an initiative dedicated to improving public health through positive activities, with sports taking a central role.
“This event fosters collective awareness to enhance the health and well-being of Malang City’s residents. It is not just a competition but part of our efforts to build a healthy and accomplished community,” Wahyu explained.
Furthermore, the Mayor highlighted the championship as a crucial moment for honing the skills of young karateka in preparation for Porprov Jatim 2025.
“We strongly support this activity as part of athlete development leading up to Porprov. This is also a tangible manifestation of our commitment to realizing the ‘Ngalam Tahes’ vision,” he added.
Wahyu urged all athletes to uphold the values of sportsmanship, demonstrate a warrior spirit, and prioritize their health and safety throughout the competition.
Meanwhile, Rudi Hartono, the Championship Committee Chairman, acknowledged a slight decrease in participant numbers compared to the previous year, attributing it to a congested calendar of karate championships in East Java.
“This year, only 311 athletes are participating due to the numerous karate championships being held almost weekly, sometimes even twice a week,” he explained.
Despite the reduced participation, the presence of approximately 15-16 athletes slated to compete in Porprov Jatim IX adds significant weight to the championship, rendering it an effective trial and selection ground.
“We extended the opportunity to all karate institutions to send their best athletes. This can serve as a warm-up and mental strengthening exercise before Porprov,” Hartono concluded.
