By Tiadi Blair

Third Dan black belt Ganesh Babulall and green belt Victor Burnett copped a total of five awards at the Karate Champion-of-Champions tournament in Trinidad and Tobago last weekend.

Instructor Ganesh Babulall (below) and Victor Burnett display the trophies they won in Trinidad. (An Orlando Charles photograph)

Babulall, who is also an instructor at the Guyana Amateur Karate Association placed second and fourth respectively competing in the kata and kumite categories.

He also gained an award for his outstanding performance in the block breaking  competition.

Babulall said the competition was of a very high standard with competition from 42 other black belt holders drawn from countries around the world.

Fifteen year old Burnett, a student at the Institute of Business Education, has been involved in the sport for some three years.

Competing in the junior category, he placed third in the kumite 14-15 year’s category and  fourth in the kata category from a field of 25 competitors.

He also won a medal in the Open Hand kata.

He is expected to compete at the upcoming Caribbean Karate Championships scheduled for November.

Babulall, who said he hopes to start karate classes for all ages and abilities at Graham’s Hall Primary School in Industry, is seeking permission from the Ministry of Education to pursue this venture.

He thanked his sponsors, The Business School and The Institute of Business Education along with supportive family members for enabling him to participate in the Trinidad.

Burnett also extended thanks to his father Glenwood, for making his trip possible.

Competitors from Barbados, St Lucia, the USA, Canada and the host country took part in the competition.