Karate: African Tang Soo Do Championship-Local karatekas back with unforgettable memories |08 September 2004

The 18-member Seychellois delegation returned home with some unforgettable memories on Monday night and Sports Nation  was on hand at the Pointe Larue International Airport to meet them.

Head instructor Jossy Canaya, a black belt third dan who won a gold (kata) and a bronze (kata with weapon) at the same competition held from September 2 to 4, did not hesitate to express his joy.

"I am extremely happy with our results because I was not expecting us to do that well, knowing that the competition would be very tough. As usual, we were very well prepared for the competition. This is the key to our success. It is always very expensive to travel overseas to compete, but despite all the difficulties, including financial constraints, we have been able to reap 16 medals and for that I am proud," said Canaya, who took the opportunity to congratulate his students for their efforts.

He continued by saying that the competition was of a high level and was very well organised compared to past editions.

"Compared to past editions, I can say that this year the competition was better organised and we all had a wonderful time in Maputo. This year's competition was the toughest we have known so far and that's why we could not defend our 'best  school' title which we surrendered to hosts Mozambique," he said.

Regarding his performance, Canaya said that he was not expecting to win any medal but was happy to return home with a gold and a bronze.

"I was not at all aiming for a place on the medals podium knowing that my opponents were all good, but in the end I was rewarded for my hard work," Canaya said.
Canaya also informed Sports Nation that Elvis Ravinia, who in 2001 received a scholarship in the United States of America where he has been training, has opened his own studio in Alabama.

"Elvis, who recently received his Tang Soo Do instructor certificate, has opened his own studio in Alabama. Despite being in Seychelles, I will help Elvis administer the studio as I remain the local Tang Soo Do chief instructor. We are looking into the possibility of sending two students each year to his studio in Alabama to follow intensive training sessions," explained Canaya.

For his part, Yannick Marie, voted the best junior karateka of the championship after winning three gold medals in the kata, kata with weapon and sparring events, said that he was satisfied with his performance and will work harder to defend his title next year if he gets to compete.
"The competition was very tough, but I was determined to do well. Next year, if I get the chance to compete in the competition again I will do my best to defend my titles," he said, before sending out words of thanks to his instructor Jossy Canaya, his parents and brother.

The other Seychellois gold medallists in the African Tang Soo Do Championship were Verna Lesperance (kata and sparring), Rebecca Fontaine (kata and kata with weapon), Mervyn Servina (sparring) and Henry Monthy (kata).

The three silver medals were won by Jean-Paul Philo (kata with weapon), Henry Monthy (sparring) and Mervyn Servina (kata with weapon).

Apart from instructor Canaya, Jean-Paul Philo (kata) and Dereck Bonne (sparring) also won bronze medals.

It is to be noted that two local karatekas successfully completed their grading tests whilst in Mozambique. James Faure received his second dan black belt, while Jean-Paul Philo is now a first dan black belt.

C. J.