The Cayman Islands National Karate-Do Association achieved “their best collective performance to date”, at the 2025 Suzuki Cup in Dallas, Texas.
Competing in a high-level tournament sanctioned by USA Karate that drew hundreds of elite competitors, including members of team USA, the small but mighty Cayman team of 11 athletes, ranging in age from five years old to adults, proved their preparation on the international stage.
They secured a total of eight medals – four gold, one silver, and three bronze – at the competition hosted on 6 Dec.
The Cayman athlete contingent comprised of Julia Romano, Chloe Grace Apreutesei, Victoria Carvalho, Michael Webster Jr., Matthew Power, Luke Brendel, Sarah Hydes, Cosette Brendel, Jax Alberga, Jefferson Jacob and Lucas Jackson.
Patrick Brendel, coach of the Cayman Islands National Karate-Do Association, celebrated the impressive haul, noting that the 2025 Suzuki Cup marked the largest team the programme has ever brought to a single competition. He added, “The results speak volumes about the progress we’ve made in 2025.”
Chloe Grace secured a gold in the five and under boys/girls beginner kata, while teenagers Julia and Lucas each earned gold in the 14-15 girls advanced kata and 16-17 boys advanced kata, respectively.
In a significant step for inclusion, para-karate athlete Jefferson also clinched a gold medal in the intellectually impaired 12-17 division, a milestone Brendel highlighted.
“Importantly, 2025 was the year we introduced our first para-karate athlete, Jefferson Jacob, to competitions in Orlando and now Texas. This is a massive step forward for inclusion and equal opportunity in our sport,” Brendel said.
Also securing a top three placement in their division for Cayman was Victoria who earned a silver medal in the 16-17 girls advanced kata and a bronze in the 16-34 senior women’s elite kata division.
Matthew secured a bronze medal in the 14-15 boys advanced kata, while Lucas added a second medal to his count with a bronze in the 16-34 senior men’s elite kata.
On the Friday preceding the event, three Cayman athletes participated in an elite kumite –sparring – seminar led by Olympian and world champion Tom Scott, the Team USA captain, while two other teenage athletes participated in a coaching course led by Dustin Baldis, the head kumite coach for Team USA.
Brendel declared the performance in Texas as an “incredible end to our competition year,” adding that 2025 was “a historic year” for the association.
“We pushed the team with tough open tournaments in Miami and Orlando. The intensity of these events prepared us for marquee regional competitions. Our athletes took on the best in the western hemisphere at the Senior Pan American Karate Federation Championships in Mexico, the junior Panamerican Karate Federation Championships in Paraguay … and we brought a team to the Central Caribbean Cup in Panama.”
This intensity has paid off, setting a strong foundation as they look ahead to a “challenging [2026] competition schedule”, which includes participation in future PKF tournaments and “potentially the massive USA open and international cup”, Brendel said.
He added, “However, the highlight of the year will undoubtedly be the Commonwealth Karate Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, in November.”
Brendel concluded that “the team has shown incredible dedication and heart”, adding, “we’re small, but mighty and, like Cayman, our karate team punches well above its weight. We are ending 2025 on a high note and the stage is set for an even more exciting 2026.”
