Local karatekas shine at ISKF National Championships

Shaqueel Andrew Amin and Kristian Chaves were among the top martial arts proponents who ‘turned up the heat’ in the 2018 International Shotokan Karate Federation’s “Guyana (ISKF) National Championship”, held at the Marian Academy Auditorium in Georgetown.
Last weekend’s championships saw a number of breath-taking displays of karate techniques being performed by more than 50 of Guyana’s upcoming and seasoned karatekas. Fighters contested in the exciting Kata (choreographed patterns of movements practised either solo or in pairs) and Kumite (Freestyle fighting). Age categories ranged from kids 6-7 all the way to the 18 + Open for adults.
Amim’s technique in the Kata solo afforded him the 1st place in the Male 18+ Open contest, ahead of Alex Rodrigues and the 3rd placed Storm Katchay. Amim

Contestants and judges pose following the end of successful 2018 ISKF Championships

then returned to show his skills as a combatant, as he added another 1st place to his credits in the Kumite Contest.
Katchay, who got third in the Kata display, redeemed himself with a second place effort, while Jordan Denny occupied the third place spot.
Kristalia Chaves was dominant in the ladies 18+ category, over the likes of second place seasoned karateka Nyota Rodrigues. Tamirand de Lisser finished on 3rd.
de Lisser then staged a classy comeback with her combat skills, which were above those of Rodrigues and Rosita Katchay, who placed 2nd and 3rd respectively.
The competition was graced by the participation of martial artists from HQ Dojo, Karate Studio -National Park, Georgetown International Academy Dojo (GIA), and others. Karatekas were judged under the seasoned eyes of Sensei Christopher Chaves, Judges: Sensei Neville Holder, Sensei Marvin Singh, Sensei Marlon George, Sempai Storm Katchay and Sempai Alex Rodrigues.
Tamirand de Lisser has been named ISKF-Guyana Cup winner for the Female Open Kumite contest, while Chaves won the ISKF-Guyana Cup in the Female Open Kata contest. Amin dominated both divisions to clinch the ISKF-Guyana Cup for Kata and Kumite contests, while a number of other contestants walked away with prizes for their perfromances in the respective groups.
The grading examination for karatekas will culminate in 2018 with fighters seeking to improve their ranking ahead of the new year when they strut their stuff on December 1 at the Headquarters Dojo at the National Park.