THE Guyana Karate Federation (GKF) hosted its annual Senior National Karate Championships this past Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.President of the International Karate Daigaku (IKD) David Clarke, 6th degree Black Belt was present to deliver the opening remarks at the event and remained until the end when he helped to present the medals.
Kicking things off were the male and female 14-17 years, followed by the Adults (18+). Wrapping up the day was the Men’s Division.
In the Men’s Kata the three-member team of Roger Peroune, Shaquille Sobers and Anthony Rambarran finished first ahead of the GKC team of Aubrey Bettencourt, Navindra Soodoo and Kenrick Cheeks while the NMAA team copped third.
The ASK-G team returned to wipe the plate in the Team Kumite. However, Sobers was substituted by Keith Beaton but the result remained the same. Rodwell and Ryan Alleyne along with Kwesi Patrick who comprised the NMAA team got the better of GKC to take second in the Kumite.
Guyana’s budding karatekas gave exceptional performances, as Brittany Bettencourt was first in the female 14-17 Kata followed by Tashana Wong and Kelly-Ann Fortune in second and third. Fortune bounced back to win the Kumite ahead of Wong and Atashieha Bovell.
Yannick Rameshwar was the top 14-17 male Kata performer while Jonathan Connelly was second and Mark Wong third. Tulsiedas Kira won the Kumite 55kg and lower, ahead of Abdullah Ariff and Avinash Ramgolam.
Wong stepped up to the 55kg+ and won ahead on Connelly and Antuan Headley.
Nicole Hohenkirk topped Ayodeli Bovell in the female Adult 18+ Kata but Bovell bounced back to defeat Hohenkirk in the Kumite.
In other results: Male 18+ Kata, 67kg – Roger Peroune first, Rodwell Alleyne second, Shaquille Sobers third. Male 18+ Kumite 67kg – Navindra Soodoo first, Shaquille Sobers second, Ryan Alleyne third.
Male 18+ Kata 75kg -: Rodwell Alleyne 1st, Anthony Rambarran 2nd, Roger Peroune 3rd
Male 18+ Kumite 84kg+ – Keith Beaton 1st, Stowell Barry 2nd, Kenrick Cheeks 3rd.