Karate: 21st Kyokushin Anniversary Tournament-“It is the Kyokushin spirit that counts” |03 October 2006

The tournament, which saw the participation of a South African team, was assisted by a big crowd among whom were the Minister for the Arts, Culture and Sports Sylvette Pool, her principal secretary Denis Rose, advisor Patrick Nanty and shihan Kenny Uytenbogaardt, the chairman of IKO Africa who also headed the South African delegation.

In his opening speech, local branch chief, shihan Phillip Moustache, flashed back through the 21 years of existence of the local Kyokushin school and proudly said that the level of fighting has improved and will continue to improve. He added that it is always the spirit of Kyokushin that counts and not the medals or trophies.

The tournament started with the Lion Cubs category were Jean-Luc Gabriel was invincible. After winning his fight in the semifinal against Armaan Shah, Gabriel overcame Hubert Dine who needed an extension round to beat Ivans Labrosse in the other semifinal.

In the Young Lions ‘B’ category, Mervin Hoareau displayed some impressive qualities to win against Joliff Laurence in the final. Following his semifinal victory over South African Isaac, it was obvious throughout the bout that Mervin Hoareau had the extra touches required to overcome Laurence who beat Steven Julienne in the other semifinal.

In the Young Lions ‘A’ category, Freddy Hipolite was unbeatable as he dominated the category. After defeating Jonathan Sam in the quarterfinal, Hipolite eliminated Steven Rosalie who had earlier beaten South African Aanrich Langeveldt. In the final, Hipolite battled against Dereck Meriton who had eliminated Kenneth Port-Louis in the semifinal.

Very agile and precise in his moves, Hipolite put on a good show as he went on to win the final.

In the female team event, the Seychellois karatekas were far more superior than the South Africans. In the first bout, Alexandra Benoiton dominated South African Nikita Cara who put up almost no resistance. In the other bout, Rina Lavigne showed no pity for Jyoti Cara, winning easily to give Seychelles the title.

In the male team event, the Seychelles team won three out of the five bouts. Freddy Hipolite won his fight against Charl Jordaan whilst Mervin Hoareau defeated Isaac. The third win for Seychelles came courtesy of Freddy Dubois against Gianluca Acquisito.

Calix Lavigne lost to Clinton Dos Santos whilst Jonathan Sam fell to Anrich Langeveldt.
The most awaited part of the tournament was the open-weight category where the fighters contested for the prestigious ‘Oyama Cup’. In the first semifinal, Jimmy Hélène, who needed an extension round to beat Ryan Vidot, met South African Clinton Dos Santos who had defeated Freddy Dubois. It was highly entertaining contest which saw Hélène leave the mat on a stretcher after receiving a spectacular kick from Dos Santos.

In the other semifinal bout, Collin Marguerite, who defeated Tony Barra, encountered Keni Vardin who had eliminated Mervin Joseph. Marguerite, who displayed much more determination and was more aggressive during the bout, came out victorious and advanced to the final were he met Clinton Dos Santos. Again, it was a closely contested bout but Dos Santos had the edge to win the ‘Oyama Cup’.

The tournament ended with the prize-giving ceremony and there were prizes for the most spirited fighters in each category. In the Lion Cubs category, the prize was awarded to Ivans Labrosse, whilst Joel Pinchon clinched the prize in the Young Lions ‘A’ category.

The same prize for the Lions ‘B’ category went to Calix Lavigne and Ryan Vidot was awarded that for the open-weight division.

Three Kyokushin members - senseis Francis Françoise, Phillip Verghese and Urna Athanasius - who have been with the school since its inception, received awards for their long service and devotion.

Other members were also rewarded for their contribution towards the school and the following were awarded for having represented Seychelles in international competitions.

They are sensei Phillip Verghese, sensei Flavien Alphonse, sempai René Payet, sempai Sonny Siméon, sempai Elizabeth Bodwell and sempai Mari-Lucie Sullivan.

Shihan Phillip Moustache described the 21 years of Kyokushin in Seychelles as a “milestone”. He said that with more training, local karatekas can produce better results as several members of the South African karatekas who competed here last Saturday and lost, participated in the World Junior Championship.

“This means that we have got the potential to do well at the World Junior Championship,” added shihan Moustache.

R. D.