Winny Paul has been training intensively in preparation for competing at South Sudan’s first national karate competition held in Juba over the weekend.

“Practising karate makes me feel strong in mind and body and is important for my future, ” said the 20-year-old.

Winny and dozens of other local karate competitors were supported at the event by members of the Japanese engineering contingent serving at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. The engineers have been practicing karate alongside the South Sudanese team for several months.

The contingent has been an important contributor to the efforts of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan providing essential facilities and services vital for UNMISS to carry out its mandate activities, including support for the protection of civilians and facilitation of the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Since 2012, the Japanese HMEC have contributed a great deal to the work of the mission, with support to infrastructural development around the capital Juba, such as roads and bridges construction and maintenance. It is exiting the mission in the coming weeks after more than five years of service.

Japanese Ambassador Masahiko Kiya said karate had united the two nations and provided an important opportunity for cultural exchange. “This is a historic occasion. Despite so many challenges, the determination of the people of South Sudan will prevail.”

While the competition was disrupted by a rain event, the spirits of the participants were not dampened.

“Rain is a blessing,” says the Governor of Jubek and Minister of Information, Culture, Youth & Sports, the Hon. Salah Rajab Bunduki. “It blesses our people and we are blessed by God.”

He thanked the Japanese engineers for their support through UNMISS’ activities across the region. “Together we have come to understand much more about each other’s cultures.”

Colonel Yoshiro Tanaka, the commander of the Japanese contingent, said karate had provided an important opportunity for communication.

“During the time we have been here, we have been grateful for the cooperation of the people of South Sudan. They have shown the utmost respect to our engineers who have worked tirelessly to support the community.”

For the South Sudanese Karate Association, training alongside the Japanese team has provided a fantastic opportunity for their young members to learn new skills.

Karate Association Chair Labu Said Al said he hoped South Sudan would be ready to send representatives to compete  in karate at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.  “While you are leaving us, we will not forget you and you will not forget us,” he said.

That sentiment was echoed by 2^nd Lieutenant Ryo Nakano who was inspired to take up karate while serving in South Sudan. He says language differences between the two groups were quickly overcome by communicating through the practice of karate.

“The interaction has been awesome. It’s been a very good experience for us as engineers to go outside and spend time with the people of South Sudan. I hope to meet everyone again at Tokyo 2020 where I will be cheering the South Sudanese team on,” he said.

Local karate expert Abraham Awer is a black belt and is determined to be on that team in 2020.

“I’d like to be the champion of South Sudan,” he says. “While we have problems, karate brings us together.”