The Guyana Japan Karate Association now renamed the International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF) – Guyana has been invited to participate in the this year’s eighth ISKF/Caribbean Karate College Championships at the Beausejour indoor sport facility in St. Lucia.
The four-day championships (August 13 – 16) would include separate divisions for youths and adults. In the adult division only black belts are allowed to participate while in the youth division brown belts and above are the requirement to compete.
A squad of 13 which includes only one adult was selected based on their 2008-2009 championship performances in age groups ranging from 7 – 9 years to adult.
Guyana will be represented in the 7 – 9 years age group by Traig Dundas, while the 10 – 11 years participants are Minakshi Pooran, Mikhail Broomes, Shane Wilkinson, Christy Dey, Leah Shariff and Kemo Cornelius.
Darien Dey and Kristina Cheeks comprise the 12-14 years category, Lloyd Gibson, Eric Hing and Samuel Ming are the 15-17 years participants while the only adult in the team is Nathalie Gibson.
Fifth Dan Black Belt Sensei Amir Khouri is the accompanying judge while the team manager is yet to be announced.
According to a press release from the federation, the association has not been able to raise all the required funds to send the team to the championships and it is currently seeking financial assistance in order to participate.
Thus far the association has raised $3,447,075, an equivalent of US$16,815.
Meanwhile, Master Frank Woon-A-Tai, eighth Dan, Vice Chairman of the ISKF Technical Committee and President of the CKC will be arriving in Guyana to conduct grading examinations between July 30 – August 10.
Grading will be conducted at Anna Regina, Essequibo and Georgetown while there will also be special training sessions by Master Woon-A-Tai for all examinees and the national team.
