The Guyana Amateur Karate Association (GAKA) said Sheldon Aaron, Nicholas Samuels and Aquell Lindey emerged champions in its Easter tournament held on Monday in Kwakwani.
Aaron, competing for the International Business of Education (IBE) emerged the victor in the adult kumite category ahead of Samuels (GAKA) and Wendell Evans of the Business School.
Samuels returned in the kata division to turn the tables on Aaron.
Ewort McRae of GAKA was third.
According to organiser of the tournament Sensei Ganesh Babulall, a fifth dan black belt karateka, this is the seventh year that the tournament has been hosted and 13 martial artists competed. He said that GAKA was also conducting an ongoing training programme and the tournament was part of the assessment.
Babulall, who has been practising the ancient art since 1991 told Stabroek Sport that the GAKA caters to the development of young karatekas; hence their affiliation with the private schools that incorporate karate into their physical education programme.
He noted that the IBE, the Business School and another private school in Aroima are branches of the GAKA. He said too the GAKA will be hosting a tournament for Guyana’s 45th Independence celebrations and overseas teams are expected.
Babulall also extended gratitude to the administration of IBE for sponsoring the trophies and medals, the KUI office of Kwakwani for accommodating the karatekas, Sheldon Aaron Sr. for providing the transportation and Avril Singh for providing meals.
