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10 countries to participate in World Cup for martial arts

20 September 2011 03:35 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. More than 2,000 athletes from 10 countries will participate in the Martial Arts World Cup in Venezuela from October 14-15, the official Venezuelan News Agency reported Monday, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

The tournament, organized by the Venezuelan Kenpo Federation (FVK), will be held in the sports facilities of the United Nations Park which is located in the southwestern part of Caracas.

A number of different types of martial arts including kenpo, karate-do and taekwondo will be open for competition during the tournament in which Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Mexico, Spain, Sweden and the United States will participate.

Jose Aponte, president of the FVK, said the goal of this event is to promote positive values related to the practice of martial arts.

"We know that practicing sports is the best way to build a better society where values like respect, honesty and solidarity will be part of the citizens’ behavior, so this is why we want to contribute," Aponte said, adding the sport also is promoted as a way to keep children and youngsters away from drug addiction and other illegal activities.

In a warm-up tournament in Argentina, Venezuela won a total of 19 medals, including 11 gold, 5 silver and three bronce medals.