MEMBERS of the Japan Karate Association/World Federation Guyana 12-man team were in high spirits as they displayed their three gold, three silver and bronze medals when they arrived home on Monday from the 2010 Pan American Karate Camp and Tournament. The competing members (3 adults and 5 children) faced intense competitors from the Americas including Canada, USA, Mexico, Costa Rica and the largest contingent from the host country, Panama.
The children’s category resulted in Damian Kerry (8 years old) securing 3rd place in Kata, copping the bronze medal and Akil Vaughn (11 years old) securing the 2nd place silver medal for Kata.
Fifteen-year-old national Under-15 wicketkeeper/batsman Prince Roberts dominated the Black belt division, to secure a gold medal in Kata, fending off the Panamanians, Mexicans, the Americans (USA) and Costa Ricans with outstanding performances.
The adults rose to the occasion and secured two gold and the same number of silver medals with Nikita Clark copping second place for both Kata and Kumite in the Black belt division after an intense loggerhead against American and Panamanian finalists.
Marlon George in the Purple belt division secured two gold medals in both Kata and Kumite, giving the Panamanians, Costa Ricans and Mexicans no chance with his strong, focused and clinical performances.
Among these, Christopher Waddell, Randolph Singh and Kevin Chin (all Black belts) also performed well in their categories gaining much attention and putting up a good battle and representing our nation despite the challenges of going against highly experienced competitors.
Nevertheless, the team mentioned that their success came through hard work, dedication, commitment and unity as they trained overtime in preparation for this event. The students described their stay as warm, pleasant and accommodating in which they had fun, visited several landmarks and made new friends.
However, they also claimed that they gained a significant amount of experience, noting that there is much more to be achieved and a far way to go, setting their objective at competing outside of the Americas.
From the inception, JKA/WF Guyana Chief Instructor -Sensei Christopher Chaves and Sensei Marvin Singh expressed their strong optimism of success and worked with these students to ensure Guyana was represented as Guyanese continuously strive to develop this Japanese art form.
Sensei Chaves also congratulated Jennifer Cyrus (3rd Dan) and Marvin Singh (2nd Dan) on their successful acquisition of their international judge’s licence. They are both from the JKA/WF Guyana (National Park Dojo) and took a written and practical examination while there in Panama before Japanese Master Koyama and Sensei Nagatomo.
Sensei Chaves, who is the director of JKA Karate in Guyana, attended the JKA/WF Americas Regional Meeting and officiated as a judge in the competition giving even more recognition to our nation.
The team departed Guyana for Panama last Tuesday for the championships and camp where they experienced ‘First Class’ Training camps and a Judges’ Clinic, conducted by the Japanese masters, concluding with the tournament on Sunday.
Five Japanese Masters were present among whom were Masters Nemuro Namato, Koyama, Takashina and ‘A’ Class Judge – 6th Dan, Sensei Yasuaki Nagatomo. Sensei Arturo Worrell (6th Dan) of Panama was the host and thanked all for their attendance and participation.
The team expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Nigel’s Supermarket, Digicel, Naipaul Singh & Sons Trucking Service, Hand in Hand, Techno Mill Inc., Kanhai’s Electrical, Citizens Bank, RRT Enterprises, their families and friends, three supporters, who accompanied them by working behind the scenes, and the media.