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Newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
Issue #32
JUL - SEPT, 2017
Table of Content Message
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What is TKA
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Training Schedule
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On the Road to Japan 1
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Tournament Highlights
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Karate Championships Results
12-13
Tournaments On the Road to Japan 2
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Grading
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UWI NEWS
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Breaking News
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Editor Graphic Artist\Layout Proofreader
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- Simone Thorne Mora - Sean Powell - Sensei Richard Robertson
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Issue #32 JUL - SEPT, 2017
Welcome to our 32nd Edition as we continue on the Way to Japan This edition will update parents on the High Performance training that is currently taking place. A novel system introduced by no other than TKA’s esteemed Chairman and Chief Instructor, Shihan Shim, it is intended to raise the bar of Sport Karate in Trinidad and Tobago by focusing on those athletes who choose Karate as their main sport, just as other persons choose swimming, football or track and field as their sport. Such persons require a different level of mental and physical preparation than Karatekas who train for fitness and self-defense purposes. This quarter was also very successful in terms of tournament participation and medaling and we have brought many memories through photographs so members can share in our pride. I take this opportunity to let members know that training begins immediately for the 3rd IKD World which is taking place in Barbados next year. For new readers you may not know that Trinidad and Tobago won the Gold Cup which is awarded to the country with the most Gold medals. We aim to recover that trophy next year!!! The TKA will be undergoing structural changes within the next few months as we aim to seek more funding to sustain our activities in the coming years, You will be apprised periodically of these changes. Please remember to pay all monthly fees of $150.00 and your $200 annual TTKU membership fee and continue to support our events.
OSS!!!
Shihan Wesley Dexter Shim Chairman & Chief Instructor TKA(IKD)
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What is the TKA? The Trinidad Karate Association or TKA is a non-profit organization which is currently one of the largest active organizations teaching traditional Japanese Shotokan karate in Trinidad and Tobago. Originally one club or dojo, the Association has grown with clubs and dojos established in different locations. Training can now be sourced at:
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Training Schedules Day
Time
TORA Chinese Association St. Ann’s - (Adults and Juniors) Tuesdays
Thursday Saturdays
Rank - Belts Directors: Senseis Nigel Forde and John George Contact No: 680-5234
6.00 pm - 7.00 pm
Adults and Juniors - All ranks
7.00 pm - 8.00 pm
Brown and black belts - High performance (Shihan Shim)
8.00 pm - 9.00 pm
Adults-Brown and Black-Shihan Shim
6.00 pm - 7.00 pm
Adults and Juniors - All ranks
7.00 pm - 8:00 pm
Brown and black belts - High performance (Shihan Shim)
8.00 pm - 9.00 pm
Adults-Brown and Black-Shihan Shim
7.00 am - 9.00 am
Instructor Training
UWI Shotokan Club UWI, St. Augustine (Adults only)
President - Sapphire Lewis Chief Instructor - Shiraz Mohammed | Contact No.- 7502776
Mondays
5.00 pm – 6:00 pm
UWI SPEC- All ranks
Wednesday
6.00 pm – 7:30 pm
All Ranks - Cor. of El Dorado Rd. and Lukpat St., El Dorado
Friday
6.00 pm – 7.30 pm
All Ranks - Cor. of El Dorado Rd. and Lukpat St., El Dorado
Tobago Scarborough Secondary School
Director: Sensei Arthur Morris Contact No: 781-7371
Tuesdays
5.30 pm – 7:30 pm
Adults and Juniors - All Ranks
Thursday
5.30 pm – 7:30 pm
Adults and Juniors - All Ranks
Saturdays
9.30 pm – 12.00 noon
Adults and Juniors - All Ranks
TOBAGO SHOTOKAN SPIRIT WARRIORS (TSSW) Signal Hill Comprehensive School
Directors: Sensei Leo Grant and Fiona Grant Contact No: 343-9814
Tuesdays
5:00 pm - 6:15 pm
Juniors 5-11 yrs; white to green belts
Thursday
6:20 pm - 7:30 pm
Juniors & Adults; Ages 12 & up; and blue to black belts
ASGSKA Arima West & Sangre Grande Govt. Primary Schools
Director: Sempai Kelly Rechais Contact No: 724-1168
Monday
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
All Ranks/Ages Arima West Government Primary School
Tuesday
3.30 pm - 5.00 pm
All Ranks/Ages; Sangre Grande Government Primary School
KURO OBI Website: http://www.tamarajoseph.com
Directors: Sensei Tamara Joseph Contact No: 396-3229
Tuesdays
3:00 pm
Juniors - University School
Wednesdays
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
All Ranks - Cor. of El Dorado Rd. and Lukpat St., El Dorado
Fridays
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Junior Beginners - Cor. of El Dorado Rd. and Lukpat St., El Dorado
Fridays
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Adults and Intermediate to Advance Juniors - Cor. of El Dorado Rd. and Lukpat St., El Dorado
You can view past editions for greater details on the TKA and our local affiliate, the Trinidad and Tobago Karate Union(TTKU) and our international affiliate, the International Karate Daigaku(IKD). 5
ON THE ROAD TO JAPAN 1 There are those persons who are interested in our country’s participation in the Olympics, Toyko, 2020 and desire an understanding of the organizational structure of the Sport and the organizations that are responsible for qualifying potential Olympians. For those who missed it in earlier editions, here is a short history.
FEATURED KARATEKA The World Karate Federation, or WKF, was formed in 1990 and is the largest international governing body of sport karate with over 130 member countries. It is the only karate organization recognised by the International Olympic Committee and has more than ten million members. The Panamerican Karate Federation (PKF) is the governing body of sport karate of about 37 countries of national karate federation in “Panamerica” (which consists of Caribbean, Latin America and North America). The PKF was founded in 1975 with the original name of PUKO (Panamerican Union of Karate Organization) with 13 countries in Long Beach, California, USA. Trinidad and Tobago was one of the founding members along with Argentina, Bermuda, Canada, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Dominican Republic, USA and Venezuela. In 1995, the PUKO officially changed its name to the Panamerican Karate Federation. PKF is duly recognized by the World Karate Federation. The PKF organizes junior and senior Karate Championships in many countries in Panamerica and participates in WKF Championships. This first Championship of the PUKO was organized in the island of Curaçao on 1–3 May 1981, with the participation of 10 countries. Karatekas participated for the first time in the Central American and Caribbean Games in 1993 in Ponce, Puerto Rico and in the Pan-American Games in 1995 in Mar del Plata, Argentina. In 1995 during the Junior Pan-American Championship in Medellín, the new Statutes of the PUKO were approved and at the same time PUKO was changed to PKF. The TTKU of which IKD-TKA is a member, is the only national body in Trinidad and Tobago recognized by the WKF and TTKU members are therefore required to participate in PKF approved tournaments.
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Issue #32 JUL - SEPT, 2017
TOURNAMENTS HIGHLIGHTS
Our ladies’ team of Natakki Hypolite, Nicole Lambie and Tamara Joseph did us proud at the PKF Seniors held in Curacao in May by getting a bronze medal in Team Kata.
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RESULTS The TKA Nationals was held on May 20, 2017 at the Tacarigua sporting complex. The results of the Invitational Tournament is listed hereunder:
KATA / KIHON (Ungraded) Gender Girls/Boys Boys Girls Boys
Age 5 & under 6-7 8-9 10-11
Category Ungraded Ungraded Ungraded Ungraded
Event Kihon Kihon Kihon Kihon
1st Place Aleksander Novia Kemani Holder Tehila Salick Melachi Valentine
2nd Place Keziana Doughty Jesiah Kennedy
3rd Place Christiana Samaroo Kamrynn Francis
Ayden Vidale
Hezakiah Devertuil
Girls/Boys Girls Boys
6-7 8-9 10-11
Beginner Beginner Beginner
Kata Kata Kata
Nehemiah Williams Ameree Mark Christian Gallan
Stephan Spencer Je Vaughn Khan Malachi Valentine
Trevor Mark
Boys Boys Girls Girls Girls/Boys Male/Female
6-7 8-9 8-9 10-11 12-13 16+
Intermediate Intermediate Intermediate Intermediate Intermediate Intermediate
Kata Kata Kata Kata Kata Kata
Olu Holder Malachai Nicholson Destiny Chuniesingh Genesis Julius Sameer Jangalee Chinelo Gilbert
Jaasiel Ector Christon Caraballo Makayla Omamo Danielle Urquhart Dominique Mark Sapphire Lewis
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Joshua Medina
Jayden Gibson Naima McKiel
Aadam Ahmad
Issue #32 JUL - SEPT, 2017
KATA / KIHON (Ungraded) Gender Boys Girls Male
Age 10-13 10-15 Adult
Male/Female
Juniors
Male/Female
Category Advance Advance Advance
Seniors
Event Kata Kata Kata
1st Place Sameer Ali Michelle Lue Fatt Dominic Wilkes
2nd Place Asa Bucchan Rochelle Lue Fatt Edward Rajmoolie
3rd Place Keiron John Shedese Nicholson Leo Grant
Team Kata
Makayla Omamo
Joshua Medina
Destiny Chuniesingh Naima McKie Rochelle Lue Fatt Michelle Lue Fatt
Nehemiah Williams Cassidy Sam Christon Caraballo Chinelo Gilbert Aadam Ahmad
Sameer Ali
Liam Gilbert
Team Kata
Christian Gallan Jaasiel Ector
KUMITE Gender Girls/Boys Boys
Age Category 5 & under Ungraded 6-7 Ungraded
Event Kumite Kumite
1st Place Christiana Samaroo Kemani Holder
Girls Boys
8-9 10-11
Ungraded Ungraded
Kumite Kumite
Girls Boys
6-7 10-11
Beginner Beginner
Boys Girls Boys Girls Male
6-7 8-9 8-9 10-13
Boys
10-13
Female Male
Adult
2nd Place Aleksander Novia Cai Applewhite-Francis
3rd Place Keziana Doughty Jesiah Kennedy
Tehila Salick Melachi Valentine
Hezakiah Devertuil
Ayden Vidale
Kumite Kumite
Cassidy Sam Christian Gallan
Alexia Barneo Josuha Medina
Alex Falby
Intermediate Intermediate Beg/Inter Intermediate Intermediate
Kumite Kumite Kumite Kumite Kumite
Jaasiel Ector Makayla Omamo Christon Caraballo Genesis Julius Aadam
Nehemiah Williams Ruth Julius Jayden Gibson Danielle Urquhart Ahamad
Noah Youssef Naima McKiel
Advance
Kumite
Asa Bucchan
Sameer Ali
Keiron John
Advance
Kumite
Michelle Lue Fatt
Leianna Valentine
Sapphire Lewis
Advance
Kumite
Edward Rajmoolie
Dominic Wilkes
Thadeus Tempro
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Dominique Mark
Memories of TKA Nationals
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Issue #32 JUL - SEPT, 2017
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TOURNAMENTS SURINAME CKF 2017 The TTKU sent a team of persons to represent T and T in the 2017 Surnimae CKF tournament which was held from July 13 to 16 . Every single partcipant medalled. However congratulations to TKA members who medalled including: Roshelle Lue Fatt- kataMichelle Lue Fatt-kumite, kata Chennise Charles- kumite, kata (Gold in Kumite) Dominic Wilkes- kumite, kata Malaika Ali-Kerr- kumite, kata Tamara Joseph- kata, kumite (Gold in Kata) Sameer Ali- kata, kumite Nicole Lambie, Natakki Hypolite and Tamara- team kata (Gold) Natakki, Tamara, Chennise- team kumite
Shihan S deep conce
Chennise also received the Best Style award, while Team T and T received the Best Sporting Country award. Incidentally TKA received 6 of the 8 gold medals that team T and T received. Results- Medal Placing
Malaika
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Shim in entration
Issue #32 JUL - SEPT, 2017
Chennise, Natakki and Tammy
Tammy, Nicole and Natakki
Chennise and Nicole
Sameer
Team T and T Michelle and Roshelle
Dominic
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ON THE ROAD TO JAPAN 2 Training for international tournaments at the Panamerican and WKF level continues at Dr. Shim’s dojo in Federation Park. Training takes place twice a day for adults six days a week. A special summer programme was introduced for juniors once a day six days a week. The dojo is teaching athletes who do karate as a sport as opposed to teaching Karatekas. At a recently held meeting for parents, Shihan Shim informed those present that to reach the goal of attaining Olympic standard, one must follow the WKF set of rules and there is a unique system of training which must be followed. It involves more than the repetition of punches, and drilling exercises we currently utilize. With this training, inter alia, the the WKF system and methodology, including the scoring technique, the psychology of sport and fitness training are all taught. The group learnt that judging is different from what normally obtains at our Caribbean tournaments in that for example, individual judges may mark on style, creativity, form and athleticism which is not normally used in IKD sponsored matches. As such, Karate at the WKF level is far superior to what obtains at the Caribbean level. In fact, as part of the Pan-American Sub-continent, we must first attain Pan-Am level status before we can advance to the world level. It is only now that we have started teaching to be Karatekas at the PanAmerican level. Dr. Shim also informed those present that currently, the only TKA member who has reached Pan-American standard is Chennise Charles who participated in the recently concluded Pan-American tournament in Venezuela earlier this year. Although she did not medal she performed quite creditably. He also added that four years of WKF training (the training he is currently providing) is the minimum ideal time required to fully reach one’s potential at this level. However given our late start Chennise has to “double up” her training. In concluding, Shihan Frieda also made it quite clear that this type of performance training is not for the feint-hearted and emphasized that it is not for everyone. It is also quite acceptable if parents only want their children to be Karatekas as opposed to athletes whose sport is Karate. No one will be forced or pressured into this type of programme because of the huge sacrifices that have to be made.
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Issue #32 JUL - SEPT, 2017
GRADING The Arima Shotokan Academy recently held its grading exercise in August 16, 2017. Over persons graded. Congratulations to all those who got promoted.
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UWI CLUB NEWS Orientation Week, also known as the UWI Guild Fest, is an annual celebration hosted by the guild committee, welcoming all new and returning students at the start of every academic year. Our Shotokan Karate Club has partaken in this event for the past forty years, using this social event as an opportunity to not only advertise our club and the accomplishments we’ve made thus far, but to welcome and encourage new members to join us and share the knowledge that we have been given both mentally and physically through our discipline and training. This year, our club was allotted two days to showcase ourselves and make our presence known. On Tuesday 5th of September, four of our club members made themselves available; all students of UWI and all holding executive positions within the club. Upon meeting at the tent at 8:00am sharp, we began setting up our display which consisted of belts ascending in ranks, the sacred Gi, trophies won by past UWI students and our present head instructors as well as 200 brochures with information of our club and the time and venues our training sessions. All with the intention of bringing excitement of the possibilities that our club has to offer. The response from prospective students ranged in variety, from being curious and excited to join, to automatically feeling
intimidated by the term ‘karate’ due to a previous definition they had already built into their minds. Some made their intentions known that they would be more interested in the term ‘self-defense’, while the females shied away due to the fact that it was a high-contact sport, using their petite size among other excuses. However, after many different conversations and various points of views were considered and discussed on particular scenarios, any doubt they may have had was addressed by our members. Our eagerness to take the time to speak with them, as well as our varying colourful personalities, showed our prospective new members that Karate isn’t only about being disciplined and precise. It is also about aiming to create a safe place where students can come to make new friends and learn how to perfect their character, which would also help to better equip them for their life ahead of University. In doing so, we were able to welcome over 50 signatures to join the club. On the second and final day of our display, the UWI Shotokan Karate Club organized a show stopping demonstration that was performed Centre stage at 12:30 pm. It was after this demonstration that many students came asking if we were the same club that had done the demonstration. This brings to mind the phrase ‘seeing is believing’. All in all, the success of our endeavor was evident, and we are looking forward to training in the upcoming academic year. COME JOIN US!!!
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Issue #32 JUL - SEPT, 2017
UWI CLUB NEWS On the 8th September, the head instructor of the Kuro Obi Dojo attended the Five Rivers Secondary School in partnership with four members of the UWI Shotokan Karate Club. The intention, not only to showcase this particular form of martial art to the students, but also to bridge the gap in the age difference, the lack of teenagers representing us being the major concern. They carried out this mission by reperforming a demonstration that was previously done at the University of the West Indies within that same week. Allowing students to witness firsthand what they were being offered to learn. The audience enjoyed the demonstration greatly and their response of excitement was very apparent. Unfortunately the entire school couldn’t be there to view the content; therefore only 100 students were able to view the demonstration in a hall that could hold approximately 600 students.
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This being a new experience for the UWI students who performed the demonstration, who thoroughly enjoyed the idea of going to a new place and sharing what they loved with prospective new members of this art form. One experience in particular, comes from a student of the UWI Shotokan Club, his point of view perhaps a little more interesting, as he was also a teacher at the Five Rivers Secondary School, performing for the first time in front some of his very own students, who had no knowledge that this was something he was practicing. His participation, making the demonstration more personal to the audience. He hopes that the students would take his story as an example, showing them that in life, once you work hard and discipline yourself, there’s nothing you wouldn’t be able to accomplish and no limit to your goals. As a result, nine students were able to sign up to join and made known there enthusiasm to begin training. Plans to visit additional school in the future are being discussed.
Breaking News
The TKA recently had several Firsts……. • Shihan Shim attained his CKF Referee License at the recently concluded CKF tournament in Suriname. He can now offciate at CKF Tournaments
Shihan proudly showing off his
certificate
• A first for Sensei Nicole She was selected Coach by the TTKU for Team Trinidad and Tobago at a Caribbean Tournament in which the TTKU participated
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Sensei Nicole behind her Coach
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desk in Suriname
Issue #32 JUL - SEPT, 2017
• As part of continuous preparation for Japan 2020, Chennise and Dominic went to Germany to participate in the German Open Premier League Karate Tournament which was held in the first week in September. This is the first time someone from TKA participated in this auspicious event.
ier times
in happ The Shims with Mark and Anya
CONDOLENCES The IKD\TKA family recently lost an adopted son in the person of Mark Chow Cheung who passed away in July. Mark who was married to Shihan Frieda’s cousin Anya and resided in Grenada was a true Karateka who always supported the ideals and values of the IKD family. At his funeral TKA Senseis formed an honour guard dressed in their GIs. May He rest in peace.
Look out for our next edition in September to December where the focus continues to be ON THE WAY TO JAPAN. Send comments, articles and pictures to kimoy2004@yahoo.com
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