Walton, Rohoman and Sewett impress at GKF juniors
…Minister Teixeira calls for closer partnerships
By Leeron Brumell
Guyana Chronicle
June 1, 2004
JUDE Walton, Richard Rohoman and Shantelle Sewett wooed the crowd on Sunday night when the Guyana Karate Federation (GKF) staged its National Junior Championships at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).
However, just before the young karatekas got into action Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Gail Teixeira, in giving remarks called for closer ties between the karate federation, her ministry and the National Sports Commission (NSC).
“It’s about time the GKF, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the NSC strengthen our relationship, while also urging the parents to continue their support for the sport.
Teixeira also noted that the need is there to expand all sporting disciplines across Guyana for future development.
Walton won the boys 9-11 years Kumite (sparring) under 85 pounds class, then took the Kata division with an impressive showing of technique, speed, accuracy and smooth motion over the floor.
Rohoman likewise won the boys 15-17 under 120 pounds class and followed up with victory in the Open Kata, while Shantelle Sewett claimed the girls’ 9-11 Kumite title and the Kata in the same division.
Walton defeated Eon Rutherford in the Kumite division with Romaro James coming in third, while the boys 9-11 years over 85 pounds division was taken by Clifford Hamilton, with Alfred Rambarran second and Cleon Cato third.
Samuel Lane finished second in the Kata with Hamilton finishing third.
Rohoman defeated Kenneth Butler in the under 120 pounds 15-17 years division with Mark Forde finishing third, while Troy Parboo finished second in the Kata to Rohoman and Eric Wilson third.
Parboo finished second in the Kata, while Butler was awarded the third position.
Shantelle Sewett won the girls 9-11 Kumite when she defeated Nikita Ramdeen and Nadia Fraser.
Sewett then gained the judges nod over Fraser in the Kata division.
In other divisions Deidre Walton won the girls 12-14 years Kumite when she defeated Krysten Sewett, while Delicia Helwigg gained a walk over victory for the third place spot.
Travis Nedd came out tops in the boys 12-14 years Kumite class ahead of Jagmohan Ramessar and Ravi Mohabeer in that order. Mohabeer then claimed the top spot in the Kata division ahead of Roger Ceroune and Liam Wong.
And in the final division and perhaps in the most exciting Kumite display of the evening, Patricia Bassant was not only aggressive but also firm on the scoring areas when she defeated Nadian Rohoman in the 12-18 girls open class.
Bassant won by an 18-12 points margin with Deidre Walton finishing third.
GKA president Charles Woon-A-Tai was impressed with the performances by the junior karatekas.
“Some people performed impressively. I must say I’m satisfied, but it was a very good performance and I saw a lot of potential in the females. They were very aggressive and I think that’s the right spirit and the temperament that’s needed.”
He said a squad will be short listed when the performances are all reviewed at a later date.
The GKF adopted the new international ruling, which sees karatekas sparring for two minutes to win by eight clear goals.
The competition was used as trials to select the best junior team for the upcoming Junior Pan American championships.