… Minister urges karatekas to integrate the values of the game into their lives
YOUNG Kemo Cornelius reigned supreme last Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall to cart off double honours in the 12 to 14 years old kata and kumite competitions of the National Sports Commission (NSC)-sponsored Guyana Karate Federation (GKF)-organised national junior championships. Cornelius took top honours in the kata display from Dion Bobb and Joshua Mortley, while Desmond Fernandes and King Cameron finished second and third behind him in the kumite category when the tournament got under way following brief remarks from Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony.
Also in winners’ row were Kristina and Alexander Cheeks, while John McGrath missed out on completing the double like Cornelius, after he won the Boys 6 to 8 years old kata display but placed second to Isaac Jackson in the kumite.
Meanwhile, Dr Anthony, urged the karatekas to integrate the respect and discipline the game teaches them into their lives.
In his address at the opening ceremony, he expressed satisfaction about seeing so many young competitors – 129 in total – making it the largest ever in a national karate contest. He commended the GKF for organising such a massive tournament.
Minister Anthony also challenged the karatekas to maintain an interest in the sport as they get older because as they get older they become vulnerable to non-communicable diseases, adding that the sport teaches the right attitude, as karatekas have to be disciplined and respectful at all times.
He urged them to integrate the attributes into their lives so that they would be respectful and mannerly individuals in the future.
At the closing ceremony, president of the Guyana Karate Federation, Mr Amir Khouri, thanked the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Sports Commission for making the venue available and donating the trophies.
He also thanked the Guyana Olympic Association for the WKF official competition equipment, Nicholas Hing for donating the tickets and programme, and tournament doctor Dr Guy Lowe who also assisted in presenting the trophies to the winners.
The full results for last Sunday’s championships are as follows:
Boys 6-8 Kata: John McGrath, Chablall Tilaknauth and Zachary Lutchmedial
Kumite: Isaac Jackson, John McGrath and Devindra Krishnall
Girls 6-8 Kata: Hannah Farinha, Sierra Evans and Arshia Singh
Kumite: Serena Kumar and Suffiya Calvin
Boys 9-11 Kata: Alexander Cheeks, Afraaz Ali and Tariq Dundas
Kumite: Antoine Headley, Joshua Campbell and Ashton Bovell Under-40 kg and Dundas, Michael Hing and Jay Evans in the Over 40 kg weight class.
Girls 9-11 Kata: Theresa Sampat, Kelly-Ann Fortune and Tamera Ausitn
Kumite: Fortune, Lateefah Hopkinson and Sampat
Girls 12-14 Kata: Leah Shariff, Christy Dey and Ayodeli Bovell and Open Kumite, Ateisha Bovell, Sariah Sauers and Christy Dey
Boys 12-14 Kumite: Over-45 kg, Shane Wilkinson, Thakurprashad Mathura and Shaquille Agard
Girls 15-17 Kata: Kristina Cheeks, Lakeisha Pearson and Kerry Ramkumar
Kumite: Colica Phillips, Ramkumar and Shanay Bristol
Boys 15-17 Kata, Shane Rahaman, Rayson Gill and Troy Bobb Jr
Kumite: Bharat Jhiant, Primchand Nazim and Omeshwar Mohabir in the Under-55kg and Rahaman, Wilbert Douglas and Christopher Belfield in the Over-55kg.