Three young karate athletes competed at the Panamerican Karate Federation Cadet, Junior & Under-21 Championships, held from 28-31 Aug. in Asuncion, Paraguay.
Though all three were eliminated in the first round, the experience proved to be a valuable lesson for the up-and-coming competitors.
The Cayman contingent included Michael Webster Jr., who participated in under-12 kata; Matthew Power, who took part in cadet kata and kumite (ages 14-15); and Lucas Jackson, who competed in junior kata (ages 16-17).
The Cayman national karate coach, Patrick Brendel, remarked on the Cayman athletes’ participation in the event.
“It was a big stage for our young athletes. They competed well against larger countries like the US, Argentina, Dominican Republic. All are on the lower end of their age bracket, so this experience will give them an advantage in the same division next year,” he said.
For Webster, there was a glimmer of hope after his initial loss, as he earned a spot in the kata repechage round, which allows athletes who have lost the chance to compete for a bronze medal. However, he was outscored and ultimately eliminated.
The team is now setting its sights on preparing athletes for the Orlando International Karate Open on 20 Sept.
“[It] looks like we have six juniors confirmed right now (age 10-16), including the three above, as well as our first para-karate athlete Jefferson Jacob, who will compete in kata. Orlando will be [the 13-year-old’s] first tournament and the first time a Cayman para-karate athlete competes,” Brendel confirmed.
