The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

MARTIAL arts will be one of several sports to take centre stage this weekend and as the Bahamas Karate Association prepares to host elite competitors across the region.

The BKA is scheduled to host the Bahamas National Karate Tournament at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium 10am June 22.

Contested divisions include katas, kumite, weapons, team sparring, team kata, continuous fighting and self defense.

The event is sanctioned by the World United Karate Organisation (WUKO) and has the blessings of the Pan American United Karate Organisation (PUKO).

Darryl Williams, WUKO referee coordinator, will be conducting the referee course accompanying the event.

Athletes from Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, St Lucia and USA are expected to attend. There will also be a meeting with the Caribbean Karate Federation (CKF) which will be part of the congress.

The BKA is headed by sensei Julian Rolle who is credited with introducing the Japanese-style of Shito-Ryu karate.

Rolle was a student under the tutelage of Williams, an international Shito-Ryu karate expert, seventh Dan and head of the Bassai Karate Dojo-International.

Rolle has a detailed background in Shotokan karate with the famous Tong Dojo and is also the holder of a fifth degree black belt.

Rolle is a founding member of the Bahamas Karate Association (BKA) and member for the World United Karate Organisation (WUKO) and the Karatedo Kyokai International (KKI).

Shito-Ryu is one of the five major systems recognised by the Japan Karate Federation (JKF) and the WUKO.

The Bahamas has hosted several major martial arts events in recent years, including the International Chinese Martial Arts Championships (ICMAC) hosted by the Bahamas Wushu Sanda Association.

ICMAC comprised of over 250 traditional and contemporary Kung Fu and Washu divisions for open hand and weapons forms (Taolu), push hands, Chi Sao, Tai Chi, and weapon sparring.

It also featured bouts of Sanda (San Shou - Chinese Full Contact Kickboxing), Light Contact Conscious Fighting, Amateur Mixed Martial Arts, and Grappling.