By Marlon Munroe
The Canadian karate team arrived in Guyana on Monday for the 11th International Shotokhan Karate Federation (ISKF) tournament scheduled for August 14-15 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
The karatekas that Stabroek Sport spoke with said that their focus is not so much on winning but rather on improvement of their skills. One said that this stance is in keeping with the Dojo Kun, the code that karatekas live by.
The Dojo Kun, which is a Japanese martial arts term literally meaning dojo (training hall) rules, states that (1) Each person must strive for the perfection of one’s character; (2) Each person must be faithful and protect the way of truth; (3) Each person must endeavour (fostering the spirit of effort); (4) Each person must respect others and the rules of etiquette and (5) Each person must refrain from violent behavior (guard against impetuous courage).
Ken Woon-A-Tai, 18, son of Eighth Dan ISKF executive member Frank Woon-A-Tai, is a second Dan black belt and it is the first time he will be representing Canada at the Pan American Championships.
He pointed out that he will be doing his best in the tournament but he is hoping that he will become a better karateka.
Woon-A-Tai noted that he has put in several hours of training for the tournament and he is eager to showcase his talents to the Guyanese public. He will be competing in the Individual Kata and Kumite.
Fourth Dan Matt Moody, who will be competing in the team and individual Kata and Kumite, also stated that he will be looking to have a good experience in Guyana and he is treating this tournament as a learning opportunity.
Moody, 32, has been practicing karate for 20 years and this is the first time he is representing Canada.
He described the karate programme in Canada as very strong and well organised and it is run by eighth Dan karateka Woon-A-Tai. He said that with the help of Woon-A-Tai and the ISKF the programme is consistent in the 10 provinces of Canada.
Chris Troch, who is fifth Dan and will be competing in the individual Kata and Kumite for the 45 and over category, disclosed that “win or lose it doesn’t matter.”
Troch, who is representing Canada for the fifth time, pointed out that the tournament will be used as a learning experience since learning never stops in karate, which was developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan.
Tanya Hendriks, who has been practicing the ancient art for 18 years, will be competing in the women’s individual Kata for the under-45 age category. Hendriks reiterated that while she is looking forward to competing she will be seeking to improve.
She said that Canada has always done well in the Pan American Championships and at the world level and no doubt they expect to continue that trend.
The father and son combination of Twana and Ari Kurdu said that they are eagerly anticipating the championships. They both noted that they have trained hard for the tournament despite a knee and hamstring injury the father sustained during training.
