Amin, Chaves, Black & Kissoon earn top spots at Shokoguy 2016 National Karate Tournament

Nov 20, 2016 Sports

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Euphoria filled the National Gymnasium last Saturday November 12^th, when Shotokan Karate-do of Guyana – National Park (ShokoGuy) hosted their annual National Karate Tournament. The tournament commenced at

13:30 hours and was officially opened by 4^th Dan – Chief Instructor Sensei Christopher Chaves.

In his opening remarks, he encouraged that all participants must endeavor to do their best, allowing good sportsmanship like conduct and camaraderie to prevail. He also emphasized that the tournament is the culmination of all the training sessions they would have undergone, and will allow the competitors to test their skills in a controlled environment such as this annual national tournament. He also added, that this tournament sets the stage for the competitors who perform outstanding to be selected to represent Guyana at the International Shotokan Karate Federation Goodwill Camp and Tournament to be held in June 2017 in Philadelphia, USA.

As the tournament got underway, the competitiveness was clear throughout the divisions, as noticeably, all the competitors were eager to ink their names in the top place to be secure their spot on next years’ US team. From the 5 to 6 year old Kata & Kumite division to the teenagers division to the adults division, the competitiveness was consistent.

There were several highlights of this tournament. Among those were the adult black belt Kata and Kumite contest.  In the 1^st round of the Kata contest, back to back champion Shaqueel Amin performed advance kata –Kanku-Shoearning 19.1 points. His keen contestant Prince Roberts performed Sochin and eased passed him with his performance, earning 19.5 points. However, in the 2^nd round, Amin came back to win when he performed Unsu (kata) earning 19.4 points over Prince Roberts who performed Kata Gojushiho earning 18.9 points. Prince also sustained a 0.1 point deduction for a technical flaw, and this denied him 1^st place.  Abdul Kellman placed 3^rd with 36. 6 points.

For the same division, the Kumite contest was also closely contested. Amin and Roberts held a draw after the first 3 minutes of free sparring. Subsequent to their draw, a 1 minute extension was allowed, and Amin was able to score first with a reverse punch to move to the next round. In that bout, he competed against challenger Abdur Kellman and was able to dispense of him to claim Kumite top spot as well.

Another major highlight of this tournament was the featured demonstrations done by the reigning Guyana Kata & Kumite Champion team:  Randolph Singh, Shaqueel Amin, and Prince Roberts. Combined the performed a picturesque display of the Kata Tekki Shodan followed by a related Bunkai (the application for this Kata) which the spectators got to witness first hand. Amin, then got to demonstrate the power of basic karate techniques by breaking solid 1X12 boards using his bare hands and feet.

In solicited feedback, many of the parents and spectators present expressed satisfaction with the organization of the tournament and how the students conducted themselves. Sensei Chaves in his closing remarks recognized all who participated and made clear that they all were winners despite placements. He stated, that win or lose, they all can take away something from each other’s performance. He then commended his officials/judges – Sensei Neville Holder -4^th Dan, Sensei Marvin Singh-3^rd Dan, Sensei Marlon George-2^nd Dan, Sempai Randolph Singh-1^st Dan and Sempai Samuel Arjoon-1^st Dan for officiating at the level they did. Sensei Chaves held the position as the chief judge for the tournament.

He also expressed thanks to their corporate sponsors, the organizing committee of the National Sport Commission for use of the Gymnasium, parents and supporters. He highlighted that the organization’s focus now is on preparing students for their upcoming grading exercise on Saturday December 10^th.

 

Results are as follows:

5 years old Kata Contest:                                           5 years old Kumite Contest

1^st Place           Eyhano Harry                                                  1^st Place           Kevin Ghanie

2^nd Place          Paris Alphonso                                                2^nd Place          Eyhano Harry

3^rd Place           Kevin Ghanie                                                  3^rd Place           Paris Alphonso

4^th Place           Stephon Romain                                             4^th Place           Stephon Romain

 

6-7 years old Kata Contest (yellow-green belts):       6-7 years old Kumite Contest (yellow-green belts):

1^st Place           Bianca Campbell                                             1^st Place           Pierre Walcott

2^nd Place          Aisja Alexander                                              2^nd Place          Aisja Alexander

3r Place           Pierre Walcott                                                 3^rd Place           Bianca Campbell

 

6-7 years old Kata Contest (green-brown belts):                    6-7 years old Kumite Contest (green-brown belts):

1^st Place           VahinNarine                                                    1^st Place           Miquel Mc Leod

2^nd Place          MaliqueLindore                                              2^nd Place          Nicholas Pollard

3^rd Place           Miquel Mc Leod                                             3^rd Place           AaryanGafoor

 

8-9 years old Kata Contest (yellow-green belts):       8-9 years old Kumite Contest (yellow-green belts):

1^st Place           Lawrence Alphonso                                        1^st Place           Robert Forrester

2^nd Place          Leon Chung                                                    2^nd Place          Aiden Baldeo

3^rd Place           Jonathan Moses                                               3^rd Place           Leon Chung

 

8-9 years old Kata Contest (purple-brown belts):                   8-9 years old Kumite Contest (purple-brown belts):

1^st Place           Akeem Morgan                                               1^st Place           Akeem Morgan

2^nd Place          Kamani Murphy                                              2^nd Place          Kamani Murphy

3^rd Place           Karl Singh                                                       3^rd Place           Tempest Katchay

 

10-11 years old Kata Contest (yellow-green belts):   10-11 years old Kumite Contest (yellow-green belts):

1^st Place           Talitha Kissoon                                               1^st Place           Talitha Kissoon

2^nd Place          Alex Chow-yen                                               2^nd Place          Alex Chow-yen

3^rd Place           Alex Puran                                                      3^rd Place           Alex Puran

 

10-11 years old Kata Contest (purple –brown belts): 10-11 years old Kumite Contest (purple –brown belts):

1^st Place           Kristian Chaves                                               1^st Place           Kristian Chaves

2^nd Place          Michael Mc Leod                                            2^nd Place          MikasiWarde

3^rd Place           MikasiWarde                                                   3^rd Place           Michael Mc Leod

 

12-14 years old Kata Contest (yellow-orange belts): 12-14 years old Kumite Contest (yellow-orange belts):

1^st Place           Domario Farrell                                               1^st Place           Domario Farrell

2^nd Place          Christiano Whyte                                            2^nd Place          Daneille Moses

3^rd Place           DaneilleMoses                                                 3^rd Place           Christiano Whyte

 

12-14 years old Kata Contest (purple-black belts):    12-14 years old Kumite Contest (purple-black belts):

1^st Place           Kristalia Chaves                                              1^st Place           Christopher Chand

2^nd Place          Derrick Seecharran                                          2^nd Place          Shaun Singh

3^rd Place           Shaun Singh                                                    3^rd Place           Ethan Skeete

 

15-19 years old Kata Contest (black belts):                15-19 years old Kumite Contest (black belts):

1^st Place           Loren Black (18.7 points)                               1^st Place           Loren Black

2^nd Place          Nyota Rodrigues (18.4 points)                       2^nd Place          Nyota Rodrigues

 

17 years old Kata Contest (black belts):                                 17 years old Kumite Contest (black belts):

1^st Place           Storm Katchay (18.7 points)                           1^st Place           Storm Katchay

2^nd Place          Alex Rodrigues (18.6 points)                          2^nd Place          Alex Rodrigues

 

18+ years old Male Kata Contest (purple belts):

1^st Place           George Taylor (18.1 points)

                                                                                                 18+ Female Kata Contest (purple-brown belts):        18+ Female Kumite Contest (purple- brown belts):

1^st Place           Pamela Das (18.0 points)                                            1^st Place           Rosita Katchay

2^nd Place          Rosita Katchay (17.9 points)                                      2^nd Place          Pamela Das

 

18+ years old Male Kata Contest (black belts):                                  18+ Male Kumite Contest (black belts):

1^st Place           Shaqueel Amin (38.5 points)                                      1^st Place           Shaqueel Amin

2^nd Place          Prince Roberts (38.4 points)                                       2^nd Place          AbdurKellman

3^rd Place           AbdurKellman (36. 6 points)                                      3^rd Place           Prince Roberts

 

Special Trophies:

Best Junior Male Competitor: Kristian Chaves

Best Junior Female Competitor: Talitha Kissoon

Best Female Competitor: Loren Black

Best Overall Competitor and 2016 Champion: Shaqueel Amin

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