Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jun 16, 2013 Sports
Guyana’s 17-member Japan Karate Association/World Federation (JKA/WF) National Park Dojo team to the 6th annual JKA/WF America Karate Camp and 7th annual National tournament held in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, June 6-9, captured a total of twenty-seven (27) medals (9 Gold, 11 Silver, 7 Bronze).
The training camp commenced on June 6 and ran until the 8th with the tournament taking place on Sunday June 9.
Based on reports from New Mexico, the tournament was challenging but from the start, 7-year-old Jared Yassin (7th KYU – Green belt) and 6-year-old Shabaka Martin (8th KYU – Yellow belt) took double Gold and Silver respectively in their division.
Nine-year-old Ronoko Vaughn (8th KYU – Yellow belt) won 1 Gold
and 2 Silver while another 9-year-old, Camiel Melville (5th KYU – Purple belt) captured 1 Gold and 1 Silver for Kata and Kumite in their division.
Eight-year-old Kristian Chaves (4th KYU – Purple belt) won 1 Gold and 3 Silver medals for individual Kata and Kumite as well as for Team Kata.
Fourth KYU – Purple belt, Loren Black who is 11-years-old, copped 3 Gold and 1 Silver medal for her individual Kata and Kumite and Team Kata event contests.
Third KYU – Brown belt, 10-year-old Reyad Yassin also made good his performances count by securing 3rd (Silver) for individual Kata, Kumite and Team Kata along the inherited Gold that was given him.
The children Team Kata was one of the many highlights at this year’s tournament for Guyana with the combination of 10-year-old Reyad Yassin (Brown belt), 8-year-old Kristian Chaves and 11-year-old Loren black – both Purple belt athletes – taking the second place against the ‘Teenage Trio Sensation’ from the Mountain State Team of New Mexico {all three being 2nd Dan – Black belt athletes}.
But the young Guyanese team which lost by a mere .4 of a point to their teenage counterparts was applauded for their outstanding efforts by the winners and the many spectators noting that the Guyanese are a well coordinated unit.
Based on the Guyanese performance, the New Mexico team was moved and motivated to the extent that they collectively agreed to reward their Gold medals to the Guyanese stating that they are the true winners despite entering at such a disadvantage.
This also gave added motivation to 14-year-old Akil Vaughn (3rd KYU – Brown belt) who placed 3rd in Kumite in his division.
Continuing the high level of performance in the adult color belt division, 53-year-old Maxene Joseph (7th KYU – Green belt) of the Guyana Geology & Mines Commission, Brickdam, got double Silver medals and Vishnu Ramlagan racked in double Bronze medals in their Kata and Kumite contests, respectively.
Another major highlight came in the Black belt adult male Kumite division, when First Dan Shermon Best formerly known as Shermon Kyte of the Guyana Revenue Authority, Camp Street Office, penetrated this division and became the first to do so internationally.
Best earned second place to win Silver against the Mexican and well defended Panamanian, making a name for himself, while earning additional respect for JKA/WF Guyana and Guyanese competitors.
The Guyana team was much-admired and recognized for the huge sacrifice it made to travel that distance and the many sacrifices they would have made to raise money and to put on such showmanship, displaying the true spirit of competitiveness and camaraderie.
Days prior to the tournament, the team attended three consecutive days of Training clinics and a one-day Judges clinic (for Black belts and officials), both conducted by special guest Instructor – Master Yoshiharu Osaka (8th Dan) who is the Vice Chief Instructor of the JKA as well as the General Manager of Technical Division of the JKA.
Much was imparted to the participants from this experienced practitioner. The team also had to acclimatize themselves in just a few days as Santa Fe’ is in excess of 7,000 feet above sea level where the air is thin and dry.
Local Instructors’ Sensei Chaves and Singh along with the team are expressing gratitude to the Planning Committee, sponsors, friends, family, parents and the many well wishers that supported their cause.
Team Guyana comprised of fifteen (15) competitors and two (2) officials, they were also accompanied by six (6) parents.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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