From left to right: Sensei Fumio Demura, Sensei J.B. Mirza, AAU Karate President, Juan Andres Perez, National Champion, Sensei Vicente Gonzalez, 6th Dan, Head Instructor and President SKI Florida, John-Paulo Torre, National Champion
The 2009 AAU National Karate Championships
The Amateur Athletes Union (AAU) hosted the 2009 Junior and Senior Karate National Championships in Fort Lauderdale’s Broward Convention Center. The six-day event highlighted the best martial artists the country has to offer. Over 1,500 athletes of all ages and experience levels from across the nation challenged one another for the right to be a “National Champion.” After rigorous training under Sensei Vicente Gonzalez, 6th Dan, Head Instructor of SKI Florida, which is located in Miramar on the premises of Sunset Lakes Community Center, two South Florida athletes earned justly deserved medals for their diligent training and commitment toward their progression of preparedness for this prestigious event. Juan
Andres Perez (14) won two gold medals in kata and kumite, obtaining the title of National Champion. John-Paulo Torre (10), after numerous rounds of well-polished Kata and displaying great sportsmanship and athleticism in his kumite matches, went on to win two silver medals. Sensei Gonzalez claims to be proud as “this is a major accomplishment and we are excited about having two members of our community with this distinguished role.” These two athletes will represent Florida in the 2009 Junior Olympics and possibly becoming Olympic Champions. In addition, SKI Florida is looking forward to the NKF 2009 USA-National Karate Championships where Dylan Aleman (5), Alejandro W. Casuso (9), John-Paulo Torre (10), and Juan Andres Perez (14) will put their skills to test accepting the challenges and rigors of diligent training for this intense competition. “We are honored to have such an extraordinary group of young athletes that are sincerely committed to reaching their goals with integrity and always striving for self-improvement.” adds Daylet Casuso, SKI Florida parent and volunteer. In a personal note, Sensei Gonzalez has been chosen by the SKIF USA to be part of the American Team traveling to the upcoming 10th SKIF World Championship in Athens, Greece. His expertises as judge has earned him the status of Master in the field of traditional Shotokan Karate-Do. The championship, under the guideance of the legendary Kancho Hirokazu Kanazawa, will gather athletes from more than 100 countries. We want to wish good luck to the American Team on their challenge of becoming world champions. skiflorida@aol.com / (786) 486-9297