CAC Games lift for local karatekas

SEISHIHAN Tony Robinson of Seido Karate, president of the newly formed Jamaica Karate Federation, is expressing delight at the possibility of the country having a martial artist at the 2020 Olympic Games, eight years after Kenneth Edwards qualified for London 2012.

Ironically, Edwards, a karateka, made his historic debut in the Korean art of tae kwon do. Robinson is hoping for a Jamaican qualification in karate when the Japanese art makes it Olympic debut in its homeland. This journey will start next month with Jamaica sending one karate representative to the Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC) in Barranquilla, Colombia.

The karate segment of the Games is scheduled for July 25-27 at the Marymount School Coliseum. There will be five sparring divisions, for men and women, and one kata each, from which 24 competitors - the first two in each division - will qualify for the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, 2019.

Robinson said formation of Jamaica Karate was perfect timing and hopes the island can again make martial arts history.

JOA endorsement

"Of special importance is the formation of The Jamaica Karate Federation and its endorsement by the Jamaica Olympic Association which now opens the door for karatekas to participate in tournaments put on by the World Karate Federation (WKF), Pan American Karate Federation and, ultimately, the Olympics," said the Seido Karate veteran.

"This is a milestone for karate, as it facilitates athletes to be involved in these prestigious world competitions. Martial arts has grown tremendously over the years, and now Jamaica is dominating the international scene with our gifted fighters defeating fighters from USA, Britain, Japan, South Africa, Vietnam, Poland, Greece and other countries," he added.

Robinson said he was enthused at karate's Olympic debut, pointing out that after years of infighting among rival disciplines, a consensus was reached on WKF rules, which lean to Shotokan karate.

"Over the years we have fought for karate to be involved. The problem was so many different styles, not being a unified body. Each style thought they were 'the style', just too many factions. Right now we have reached an agreement. The infighting has been ironed out," he said.