Beaton believes IKU World Cup 2019 will be better

In a recent press conference held by Director Christopher Jones at the National Sports Commission (NSC), a large quantity of items were handed over to the Guyana Karate Federation’s (GKF’s) President Amir Khouri; and Guyana Times Sport had the pleasure of the presence of GKF Vice President Keith Beaton, current two-time silver medalist.
He achieved this feat by competing in the International Karate Daigaku World Cup 2018 held at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium in Barbados from August 17-19.
Representing Guyana, Beaton competed in the male individual 40-49 Kumite, and team Kumite 40-49 alongside Malcolm Francis and Patrick Gurahoo. He secured two silver medals to his name.
Before the team had departed, Beaton, Guyana’s sparring coach for the Guyana Shotakan Karate Club, practised five days a week for hours. He even added the weekends so he could be in tip-top shape for the tournament.
Entering the competition with confidence and with steady nerves, he fought to his heart’s content, and made his nation proud in coming home.
Asked if he would be competing again, Beaton said, “I will be; next year Guyana will be hosting the International Karate Daigaku World Cup 2019 in August somewhere around the 12th -15th, we‘ll be having a lot of preparations in hosting the Caribbean championships, which is responsible for hosting more than 400 participants”.
Beaton was positive there would be an advantage with Guyana hosting the 2019 IKD World Cup, and believes the home crowd’s backing will give them the motivation needed to push and let the home team be successful.
Beaton later went on to state that he would be competing in the 84 kg division on September 30 at the Senior National Championships at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) and is encouraging everyone to come out and show the support.