LAST Wednesday, a 20-man ISKF-Guyana team left our shores to represent Guyana at the 13th ISKF Pan American Karate Championship.

This year, the championship will be held at the spectacular Sheraton Bijao Beach Resort in Panama City, Panama, from Thursday, August 16 and will culminate on Sunday August 19.

Parents and supporters of the organisation accompanied the Guyana delegation (now totalling 46) to cheer the players on, well equipped with their Guyana flags and in the colours.

The team is headed and coached by ISKF-Guyana Country Director Sensei Christopher Chaves, under whose guidance the players have been training extensively since January. The players are pleased to be representing Guyana at this level and are optimistic of attaining top placements in their division.

The 13th ISKF Pan American Karate Championship is open to all ISKF member territories and will feature Master Hiroyoshi Okazaki- 9 Dan. The contest will include both Kata and Kumite and will have divisions that involve boys and girls, male and female competitors from the age of seven.

The 20-man team, who will be representing Guyana, hold the following ranks:

Green Belts:  Oliver Hoke, Silvia Perozo, Sylvie Hershberger, Tamirand De Lisser and Zodok Yehudah.

Purple Belts:  Abdul Hackim, Aiden Persaud, Gael Mc Pherson and Gia Ramischand.

Brown Belts:  Bianca Campbell, Reia Lee and Richard Lee.

Black Belts:  Akeem Morgan, Alex Rodrigues, Jordon Denny, Kristalia Chaves, Kristian Chaves, Mikasi Warde, Shaqueel Amin and Troy Parboo.