PH karateka Jamie Lim to comply with PSC bubble training

Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Jamie Lim is willing to undergo the bubble training initiated by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to prepare for the Karate Olympic Qualification tournament. 

“Of course, we’ll really comply with the [bubble idea] and we’ll do everything we can for the preparation, and if that entails the best preparation for Olympic qualifiers, we’ll do that,” Lim said on Tuesday, July 28, during a Philippine Sportswriters Association forum. 

The PSC raised the idea of training the Tokyo-bound athletes and Olympic hopefuls in one venue, where the government will provide them with the necessary facilities to resume training.

The government sports agency teamed up with the Philippine Olympic Committee in seeking the approval of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the resumption of training of Olympic hopefuls, following the approval of the joint administrative order that allows professional football and basketball teams to resume training. 

Once the IATF gives the green light, the Philippine karate team will already be able to practice with a sparring partner which is significant to enhance speed, distancing, and reaction time. 

“Jamie and the others are really hungry for sparring already,” said Karate Pilipinas Inc president Richard Lim. 

The world Olympic qualifying tournament for karate was initially scheduled in May 2020 in Paris, France, but it was postponed to June 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak. 

The World Karate Federation then decided to move the tournament to June 2021.

“Noong nakuha na ‘yung news na the Olympics and qualifiers will be moved next year, ‘yung Karate Pilipinas coaches gumawa po sila ng training program for us to keep every day, and so weekly mayroon din kaming Zoom trainings with our coaches and ‘yung buong team,” added the Olympic hopeful. 

(When we got the news that the Olympics and the qualifiers will be moved to next year, Karate Pilipinas coaches crafted a training program for us to keep every day, and so we have weekly Zoom trainings with our coaches and the whole team.)

Lim, together with fellow Olympic hopefuls and head coach Okay Arpa, are polishing their techniques through online training sessions. 

“So I think we’re doing well in preparing. Lahat po kami nakaka-adapt sa situation and kahit small ‘yung space nagagawan ng paraan, and hindi po kami pinapabayaan ng coaches namin,” she added.

(So I think we’re doing well in preparing. All of us are able to adapt to the situation and even with a small space, we’re able to find a way, and our coaches don’t neglect us.)

Coaches from different countries such as Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Palestine were also invited to conduct seminars for the team. – Aeron Gabriel Pantig/Rappler.com