Karate: World Kimura Shukokai championship |09 August 2016

Local fighters learn great deal, succeed in grading

A six-member delegation from the Seychelles Kimura Shukokai karate club took part in the World Kimura Shukokai championship in Germany.

Sensei Gabriel Victor, sensei Jocelyn Cupidon, sensei Christopher Hoareau, 2nd dan black belt Bernard Thérésine, 1st dan Shujetha Chettiar and Stephanie de L’Etourdie crossed swords with Kimura Shukokai’s world best in kata and kumite and they have described the results as very successful.

The international competition was held from July 18-24 at the Estrel hotel in the German capital, Berlin.

Some of the countries which took part in the competition were Portugal, England, Germany, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana, and according to Sensei Hoareau they had big delegations of over 50 athletes.

Five of the six karatekas took part in a three-hour grading session and they were all successful. Gabriel Victor, Cupidon and Christopher Hoareau were promoted to 3rd dan black belt, Thérésine got his 2nd dan black belt and Chettiar was promoted from brown belt to 1st dan black belt.

As for Bernard Cafrine, a 3rd dan black belt holder, he missed the chance to take part in the grading after sustaining a last minute injury.

Cupidon, Thérésine, Chettiar and De L’Etourdie were involved in both the kata and kumite events.

In kata, Cupidon and Thérésine managed to reach the third round in their category before being eliminated. Chettiar and De L’Etourdie were eliminated in the first round.

They both did not do well in kumite.

“I had to concentrate a lot in my grading as it was tough. I am very happy to be promoted to black belt and to have made it to such a competition. It’s a great achievement for me,” said Chettiar.

Sensei Cupidon said even though his school has no advanced 5th to 8th dan instructors, their performance was at par with their counterparts.

“The competition was of a very high level. When I analyse our performance, I can see that we are not that far behind compared to them in terms of our ability, power, and speed on the mat. They have better reflex than us. The three-hour grading session was exceptional and we deserve our promotion,” said an emotional Cupidon.

According to sensei Hoareau, “the competition was of very high standard with the big countries dominating things as they have experienced 7th or 8th dan instructors to train them while we do not have any”.

He added that for the last 12 years, they have never had any visit or trained with an advanced instructor. “We try to put things together on our own or learn new techniques on videos. But for the competition as a whole, we are very satisfied with our performance as a small country and a small delegation,” said a happy Hoareau.

As for the future, sensei Hoareau said the school will try to seek and invite advance instructors to help in training their students.

P. J.