BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
ANISA’s Current focus is to work hard to join the final Sol Karate squad as the country prepares to host the Pacific games in 2023.
Anisa Opaka who is part Gilbert, Fataleka, and Are ‘are told RawSport that she is working to improve on speed, accuracy, and how she can gain strength when in the ring.
“I am very excited and happy to be part of the first selection and I am looking forward to being selected in the final squad,” said Anisa.
“Some of the areas I need to focus on and improve in are speed, accuracy, and gaining strength during fights,’’ she said.
The young female athlete who is yet to turn 18 this year is doing her training at Solomon Islands National Institute of Sport (SINIS) ahead of the Oceania karate Championship come June in New Caledonia.
“ It is quite challenging for me because I am new to the facilities that SINIS has provided for us, with that, it is also my first time to be part of a training squad for a major event,’’ she said.
The young green belt fighter is getting her regular training every Monday morning and evening at the Solomon Islands national institute of sport (SINIS).
“The criteria that I should meet to be selected is also challenging for me which I have to work hard for it,’’ she added.
Speaking to Rawsport in an exclusive interview recently, Anisa said that she joined the Karate sport in 2019.
“I become motivated to be part of the wonderful art when I got into an argument and ended up in a small fight. I also get motivated by family members for safety reasons,’’ she said.
“There are a lot of issues facing women today where they don’t feel safe anymore and taking up this sport will help me look after myself from any harm or violence,’’ she said.
Although Anisa hasn’t yet competed in the bigger competitions she has some courage from her karate federation competition.
Since joining the Martial art at the age of 14 she performed well in all her first three katas.
“I performed well in my Pinan Nidan, Pinan-sodan, and Pinan Sandan and managed to skip the first belt for the second belt,’’ she said.
When asked if she sees herself as a medal prospect for the country at next year’s games, she said that she has to work hard for that. “ I have to and I must work to achieve that, it’s our target, the 40 medals and I want to be on that list of winning medals for Solomon islands,’’ she uttered.
