The light complexioned karateka who hails from Akwa Ibom State, Rustum Francis Bernard who represents Cross River State in national tournaments in Nigeria has bemoaned on the poor support for Karate in terms of infrastructures like Dojo (Gymnasium), training equipment etc.
Rustum who is ranked 1st in Nigeria, 6th in Africa and 61st in the World in Karate believes that the provision of Karate training facilities at all level in Nigeria from the Government and private sector will boost the Sport.
He said, “Sometimes I sponsor myself to some tournaments in and out of Nigeria.” Anytime, I have a tournament, my coach won’t take it easy on me”. “He makes sure that he pushes me harder than I expected because we do not have any training equipment.”
He said, “I do a lot of personal training with my team mates in the state. ”
The 2011 West African Karate championship two times gold Medalist said,”It is not easy for me to cope in Karate in Nigeria because my wide is too big and I appreciate the support from my family and Shihan Segun Abode who is like a godfather to me has been a light to my sporting career.”
Popularly known in Karate for his kick called ura-mawashi geri, Rustum reiterated, “The government and private sector should help provide a Karate dojo (Gymnasium) that is well equipped because it is my personal equipment I voluntarily give out to other karatekas to train whenever we participate any tournament in Nigeria. If possible the government should sponsor more tournaments and support national athletes with funds to attend training tours.
He solicited that, “The Government should pay athlete their allowances on national duties, it is a booster for athletes to train well and given awards for heroic exploits.
In his final words, Rustum appealed to the government, private sector and the public for support because of the challenges like lack of training equipment and funds especially now he is in the world class level (elite class) in Karate ahead of the Olympic games in 2021.
Other titles and medals won by Rustum in Karate include:
2004 – 2nd K.F.N (Karate Federation of Nigeria) challenge cup (1 bronze)
2004 – Camp Karate 4 (2 bronzes)
2006 – Camp karate 6 (2 golds and 1bronze)
2006 – First KFN South south zonal Karate championship (2 silvers)
2006 – 15th National Sports Festival Gateway Games, Abeokuta (1 Silver)
2009 – 16th National Sports Festival, Kaduna (1Silver and 1Bronze)
2011 – 17th National Sports Festival, Garden City Games, Port Harcourt (1 silver)
2013 – 3rd Delta open National Karate championship (1 Gold)
2014 – KFN President Karate national open Championship (1 Gold)
2015 – NKA (Nigeria Karate Association) black belt college Championship (2 golds)
2016 – First KFN National Cadet, Junior and senior Championship (1 silver in senior category)
2016 – KFN Karate National open (1 gold)
2018 – First Rivers National open championship (1gold and 1 bronze)
2018 – 19th National Sports Festival, Abuja (1 Bronze)
2019 – Nasarawa State Open National karate championship (1 gold)
