KARATEKAS from the Guyana Karate College (GKC), host of the 11th International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF) Pan American karate championships, began intensifying their preparation for the upcoming event recently, with a mental and physical training session.
Led by Sensei Jeffrey Wong, the karatekas took a trip to the Marudi Creek Resort on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway. The karatekas had a blend of fun and vigorous training, as part of their mental and physical training routine for the championships.
The 11th ISKF Pan American championships will be held from August 12 to 15 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, where over 500 karatekas will be battling for supremacy in both the kata and kumite disciplines of the sport.
The Guyanese will continue their training exercises for the championships under Sensei Wong, who intends to leave no stone unturned in his quest for total dominance by the local team at the tournament.
In an invited comment with Chronicle Sport, Wong said he is looking to have more sessions like the one they had at the resort, with the fine-tuning of the karatekas’ technical side taking place at least one or two weeks before the commencement of the tournament.
“The karatekas were placed under water training at the resort, to which they responded favourably. Strengthening of their stance was also done, along with other physical exercises before they went into the mental side of things.
“This is something we did execute with some teams prior to them leaving these shores years ago and I thought it best to take this batch of students through such a routine.
“I must say that their response to this exercise was overwhelming, hence my goal is to take them through that routine as often as possible, leading up to the tournament,” stated Wong.
Meanwhile, the GKC has commenced training sessions for beginners. Classes will be held every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday for one hour from 17:00 h at the Malteenoes Sports Club pavilion, Thomas Lands.
Persons desirous of enrolling in these classes, can contact Sensei Wong on 226-9219 or 622-4260.