Shokoguy Karate-Do of Guyana returns from USA championship victorious

Jul 10, 2016 Sports

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This year’s ten member team from the Shotokan Karate-Do of Guyana (SHOKOGUY-National Park) returned from the USA after successfully attending the International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF) 50th Masters Camp & International Goodwill Tournament at Camp Green Lane, Pennsylvania, USA, last June 10 -17.
The team included Chief Instructor – Sensei Christopher Chaves, Shankar Singh, Shaqueel Amin, Randolph Singh, Pamela Das, Vishnu Ramlagan, Kevin Edwards, and children: Ezekiel Griffith, Mikasi Warde and Arron Austin.
Sensei Chaves sentiments in his report was captured as, “Our experience was beyond rewarding” he continued, “We felt fortunate to be exposed to that level of expertise, training and knowledge imparted by high ranking guest masters with world renowned classification”.
That list included 9th Dan–Master Yutaka Yuguchi of the USA, Master Masaru Miura from Europe, Master Shunsake Takahashi from Japan, and Master Hiroyoshi Okazaki –Chief Instrutor of ISKF. Complimentary to this list of masters, were the presence of revered 7th and 8th Dan Instructors.
The Camp
The camp attracted in excess of 500 Karatekas representing more than 40 countries.
The camp allowed for high level meetings where the International Board of Directors met and head representative for ISKF Guyana – Sensei Chaves were also engaged.
Daily training sessions amounted to six hours (3 times per day).
Seminars and lectures were also a feature of this camp, and sought to blanket areas of personal growthand skill development.
This year however, was particularly special as it marked the 50th Anniversary.
Noteworthy of all the celebrations is ISKF’s ballooning global presence and continuing recognition.
Tournament
On tournament day, the children competed in mixed groups both for Kata and Kumite.
This format promoted unity and friendship among the participating countries. In the end, all participants were awarded medals for their efforts. However, the adult category was competitive, notwithstanding, Guyana performed well to the extent that they attained success in the Male Division, where Kevin Edwards fended off opponents to cop first place in Kumite, defeating Rony Ben-Dor of Isareal.
He however placed third in Kata. In the female colored belt division, Pamela Das competed well to place third in Kumite. First place was won by Eileen Kim of USA and second place was won by Betty Lim also of the USA. In the male colored belt division Vishnu Ramlagan placed second in both kata and kumite.
That division was won by Joseph Tamraz of Lebanon.
The open black belt division was even more competitive, having a larger number of competitors, ranging from 1st Dan black belt to 6thDan.
Shaqueel Amin-2nd Dan and Randolph Singh-1st Dan competed for Guyana. In Kumite, Shaqueel Amin competed against defending champion Tunji Abodunrin of Nigeria.
Shaqueel exhibited potential as not seen previously and fought pound for pound, however, Abodunrin managed to score the final point against Amin to win the match.
Randolph Singh also did well in his first match by defeating his opponent from the Philippines, butlost his second match to the Jamaican competitor.
The division was eventually won by Dan Elliot of the USA. In the Kata contest, they both lost in the second round, which was eventually won by Gabrielle Caccealanza of Switzerland.
In the team kata contest, Guyana performed amongst strong teamsand managed to place third.
First place was won by Australia and second place by USA.
Appreciation
SHOKOGUY Chief Instructor Sensei Christopher Chaves neverthelesswas pleased with the performance of his charges, and conveyed the organization’s appreciation.
He stated that they could not have done it without the support of the parents, private and corporate sponsors, members and the Ministry of Education for the instrumental roles they played in assisting them to realize this year’s attendance and participation.
Chaves then posited, that they are anticipating June 2017, where a much larger contingent is anticipated.
A dream to be realized
Sensei Chaves then pointed to what he considers a Karatekas highlight – a dream to be realized.
The “Shoto Cup World Tournament” that will be hosted this year in Cape Town, South Africa from August 20 – 21.
This is the premier karate tournament of ISFK and would have been hosted previously in Europe and Japan.
Sensei Chaves stated that despite the high cost associated with attending this tournament, he remains optimistic that in realizing this dream, a contingent being able to attendif not this year, will be able to do so in the very near future.

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