TEAM 758 comprising 20 persons – 13 athletes & 7 parents from the Saint Lucia Shotokan Karate Association (SLSKA), the local affiliate of the International Karate Daigaku (IKD), participated in the 3rd IKD 2018 World Cup, which was held from 17th-19th August 2018, at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex, St. Michael, Barbados.
This highly competitive Shotokan Karate Tournament gathered over 300 competitors from across the globe including Canada, England, South Africa, South America and several Caribbean countries. The individual and team events encompassed Kata (forms), Kumite (sparring), Bunkai (practical applications) and Enbu (demonstration of self-defence).
Four participants managed to advance to the finals of Kata: Krystal Ramkhelawan, Lizana Ramkhelawan, Jerome Girard and Sensei Patrick Edward, whilst one participant, Sensei Patrick Edward competed in the Kumite finals. The team from Saint Lucia made a very good showing, winning a total of three medals. All of the athletes had a great experience, this being the first international tournament for many.
Team St. Lucia’s medals came in the adult male 50+ division with Sensei Patrick Edward winning gold in individual Kumite and silver in individual Kata, while the trio of Sensei Patrick Edward, Jerome Girard and Randall Bain won bronze in team Kata. Likewise, Patrick Edward for his performance was awarded the trophy for the Most Outstanding Senior Male Participant.
With these results, the team is in high spirits and energy to continue training, having experienced the dynamics of international competition. Now our athletes have a deeper appreciation of the importance of discipline, dedication and spirit that we must have at training, in order to produce better results in other tournaments.This was a first-time experience for most of the junior athletes. It will enable them to return to Saint Lucia to spread the Karate Spirit and also assist in the future by teaching others and taking their performance to the next level.
The Saint Lucia Shotokan Karate Association organized several events to raise funds for this tournament and received assistance from local business houses. In that regard, we would like to express our gratitude to: members, parents, the general public& private sector companies such as: St. Lu Metal and Plastic Manufacturing, Johnson’s Hardware, Bank of St Lucia, Flow, Casabella, Peter & Company, St. Lucia Distillers, Blue Waters, Harmony Suites, Mr. Maher Chreiki, among others for their contributions.
The full team of athletes includes: Sensei Patrick Edward, Jerome Girard, Lizana Ramkhelawan, Colin F. Huskinson, Randall Bain, Spud Montoute, Krystal Ramkhelawan, Joshua Duncan, Domingo Ramos, Aquilah Smith, Jude Philip, Daquan Alfred and Amelia Huskinson.