Karate: National Championship-Kimura Shukokai karatekas excel |29 October 2007

Five local karate schools, namely Kimura Shoukokai, Combat Tang Soo Do, Shotokan, Kyokushinkai and the Ashihara School from La Digue participated in Saturday’s tournament, which was the second organised by the SKA this year.

In a small opening address, SKA Chairman, David Esparon, thanked all the parents and family members of the karatekas for their continuous support and understanding. He also urged the contestants to adopt a “fair play” spirit throughout the tournament and to respect the decisions of the officials.

The tournament started with the Kata event for the different categories before moving into the more exiting Kumite which left the spectators on the edge of their seats.

It was the senior representatives of the different karate schools who presented the winners with their prizes.
According to SKA chairman, the competition went on well and all the athletes displayed a very high level of discipline. He however expressed certain disappointment regarding the behavior of certain schools which decided not to participate in the championship.

“This is an annual competition that is organised by the federation, therefore all registered schools should participate. Refusing to take part is considered an insult to the federation,” Mr Esparon said.

“All the schools expect the federation to support them when they are planning and organizing activities at school level, therefore they should support the federation by getting involved. Even though they do not compete they can at least send some representatives as officials. If we want our sport to progress we should all work together towards the same direction,” Mr Esparon added.

Complete result of the championship:

Junior Male Kata (8-13 years old)

Winner: Jean Yves Lestrange (Combat Tang Soo Do)
 Runner-up: Dan Theresine (Kimura Shukokai)

Female kata (13-22 years old)

Winner: Gretel Valentin (Kimura Shukokai)
Runner-up: Brigitte Pillay (Combat Tang Soo Do)

Junior Male Kata (Below brown belt)

Winner: Bernard Theresine (Kimura Shukokai)
Runner-up: Aubrey Mussard (Combat Tang Soo Do)

Senior Senior Kata (Below brown belt)
 
Winner: Jonathan Azemia (Kimura Shukokai)
Runner-up: Dave Raguin (Combat Tang Soo Do)

Senior Male Kata (Brown/Black belt)

Winner: Bernard Cafrine (Kimura Shukokai)
Runner-up: Andy Alissop (Combat Tang Soo Do)

Female Open Kumite

Winner: Gretel Valentin (Kimura Shukokai)
Runner-up: Rachel Lestrange (Combat Tang Soo Do)

Junior Male Kumite (9-14 years old)

Winner: Dan Theresine (Kimura Shukokai)
Runner-up: Tigme Tsultrim (Combat Tang Soo Do)

Male Open Kumite (15 years old below brown belt)

Winner: Bernard Theresine (Kimura Shukokai)
Runner-up: Samuel Henriette (Kimura Shukokai)

Male Open Kumite (16- 20 years oldbelow brown belt)

Winner: Antoine Mein (Combat Tang Soo Do)
Runner-up: Jeffrey Adonis (Combat Tang Soo Do)

Senior Male Kumite (Open)

Winner: Steven Freminot (Kimura Shukokai)
Runner-up: Phillip Agathine (Shotokan)

R. D.