ISKF-Guyana Karate team claim 40 medals at 2022 US International Karate Tournament

Dec 07, 2022 Sports

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Kaieteur News – A total 40 Medals: 10 Gold, 13 Silver, and 17 Bronze medals were won by International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF) – Guyana team at the 42nd ISKF US Nationals and International Goodwill Karate Championships.

This is usually an annual event, where all ISKF territories rendezvous for fellowship and training and culminates with a tournament. This is the first major ISKF international event held post-Covid-19 and team Guyana was revved up. The 31-member team traveled from Guyana at midnight on November 18 to arrive in Philadelphia at the Marriott Old City Hotel just after lunch.

They were accompanied by parents/guardians and other supporters of ISKF Guyana Dojo bringing Guyana’s total contingent to 56 persons.

The launch of this year’s Camp & Tournament commenced with a memorial service to recognize the passing of ISKF founder -Master Teruyuki Okazaki on Friday, November 18, 2022.

The US Nationals was held on Saturday, November 19, 2022, and the International Goodwill Tournament was held on Sunday, November 20, 2022, which started at 8:30 am.

Given the prestige and highlight associated with the international tournament, 15 countries enlisted. Amongst the largest contingent were teams from Guyana, the USA, Canada, and Australia.

The Guyana team was up against fierce competition. Recognizing this, our local karatekas stepped up to the task and led to propelling our country’s reputation as formidable. It was this step up that elevated the Junior kata team to secure bronze after a synchronized and excellent kata display, facing off against Australia and USA who won the Gold and Silver respectively.

Another performance highlight was the Adult male team Kumite (free sparring) contest where the heat was pervasive.  In this division, Guyana met with its South American counterpart Argentina but lost due to the use of excessive contact when young adult phenom, Alex Rodrigues, floored his Argentine opponent with a Jodan punch (reverse punch to face). His disqualification led Argentina to claim the bronze, Canada to the silver, and Australia ultimately copping the gold medal. Full details of the 31-man team results are listed below by division and categories.

After the tournament, a grand banquet culminated this year’s Camp and Tournament where all the karatekas were able to interact and network with each other and share about their respective countries and training methodologies.

Chief Instructor of ISKF Guyana-Sensei Christopher Chaves in his comments expressed great satisfaction with the team’s performance and conveyed his gratitude to the competitors for their commitment. He also thanked parents, sponsors, and his assistant coaches – Shermon Best, Storm Katchay, and Alex Rodrigues for being instrumental throughout the process.

Sensei Chaves posited in closing that whilst competing at the international level brings unmatched exposure, training at the National Park, Thomas Lands Dojo continues as normal upon their return, since one’s character development is an underpinning philosophy of Shotokan Karate.

Gold Medals for Guyana:

5-7 Years old yellow to green belts kata:  Gia McPherson

5-7 Years old yellow to green belts kumite:  Gia McPherson

8-10 years old yellow to green belts Kata:  Davidge Rock

8-10 years old yellow to green belts Kumite:  Javier Davenand

10-12 years old yellow to purple belts Kumite:  Jeremy Persaud

10-12 years old yellow to purple belts kata:  Leia Pugsley

11-13 years brown to black belts kumite:  Aiden Persaud

12-15 years brown to black belts kata:  Malachi Hall

15-17 years old yellow to green belts kata: Brandeia Simpson

15-17 years old yellow to green belts kumite:  Yohance Nedd

Silver Medals Guyana:

5-7 years old yellow to green belts kata:  Sven Clementson

5-7 years old yellow to green belts kumite:  Sven Clementson

7-9 years old yellow to green belts kata:  Chelsea Harrison

7-9 years old yellow to green belts kumite:  Emily Ibbott

8-10 years old yellow to green belts Kumite:  Davidge Rock

8-10 years old yellow to green belts kata:  Javier Davenand

10-12 years old yellow to purple belts Kata:  Jeremy Persaud

10-12 years old yellow to purple belts kumite:  Leia Pugsley

15-17 years old yellow to green belts kumite: Brandeia Simpson

15-17 years old yellow to green belts kata:  Yohance Nedd

11-13 years brown to black beltskata:  Gael McPherson

11-13 years brown to black belts kumite:  Leisha Bhimsain

12-15 years brown to black belts kata:  Jedediah James

Bronze Medals for Guyana:

5-7 Years old yellow to green belts kata:  Christopher Harrison

5-7 Years old yellow to green belts kumite:  Christopher Harrison

11-13 years brown to black belts kumite:  Gael McPherson

11-13 years brown to black belts kumite:  Leraj Bhimsain

12-15 years brown to black belts kumite:  Malachi Hall

14-15 years Male green to purple belts kata:  Govinda Prasad

14-15 years Male green to purple belts kumite:  Govinda Prasad

14-15 years Female green to purple belts kumite:  Nashavia Davis

16-17 years old male black belts kata:  Kristian Chaves

16-17 years old male black belts kumite:  Kristian Chaves

15-17 years old female black belts kata:  Tempest Katchay

18-44 years old male brown belts kata:  Vishnu Ramlagan

18-44 years old male brown belts kumite:  Vishnu Ramlagan

45+ Female black belts kumite:  Rosita Katchay

Team Kata 7-17 years old

Bronze Medals:  Team Guyana (Kristian Chaves, Jedediah James, Malachi Hall)

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