By Marlon Munroe
Guyana men’s kumite team failed to advance to today’s final of the 11th International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF) Pan American championships which ends today at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
They will, however contest the bronze medal match against Canada while Barbados and the United States of America will challenge each other for the gold.
It was a day of fluctuating fortunes for the locals as the small crowd on hand was treated to the graceful and elegant movements of kata and the sometimes inelegant nature of kumite.
While the seniors disappointed, the junior karatekas kicked and chopped their way into medal winning positions in the individual competitions following yesterday’s elimination round.
Guyana’s senior karatekas will also be in action along with Trinidad & Tobago, Antigua, Jamaica, Barbados and Canada in the team kata competition.
It was not all doom and gloom however as the Guyanese spectators had a lot to cheer for in the girls’ 10-11 individual kumite and kata events with Leah Shariff in a solid position to walk away with a gold medal in that age group.
Shariff will be competing against Angally Deodat and Ladisha Boyce of Barbados and Tashana Wong.
The Broomes and Cheeks names also had a good day for Guyana and will also be competing for medals today.
Joshua Broomes will be going up against Alexander Cheeks, Nicholas Anderson and Joshua Tseu in the boys’ 10-11 years individual kata and kumite competitions.
Mikhail Broomes is also a finalist in the 12-13 boys’ individual kata.
He will be coming up against Payam Rasteegar (USA) Kemo Cornelius (Guyana) and Kristopher Cappin (Barbados).
Junior Caribbean champion and Pan American silver medallist Kristina Cheeks will feel comfortable in the girls’ 14-15 individual kata competition since there will be compatriots Tashana Lowe, Simonica Fanfair and Dernique Vieira, along with Alexa Villaneuva competing for the podium positions.
Ayesha Broomes came out well after the preliminary matches to be in competition with Aliya Wong, Tabu Lalkissoon and K. Sherri Massiah of Barbados for medals today.
In the boys’ 16-17 age group in the individual kata and kumite competitions, Guyana’s Samuel Ming will be looking for a medal against Stuart Holder, Marc Mollentheil and Kyle Fenty.
Meanwhile, Guyana’s Ashley Lopes had to be rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after she fell and hit her head during her elimination kumite bout.
It was later disclosed by Dr. Guy Lo that she was only taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure for observation.
Talented local karatekas Phillip Romalho and Eric Hing did not make the cut for the medal round.
Competition resumes at 09:30 hours today after the opening ceremony which will be attended by President Bharrat Jagdeo.
