© Copyright Mandie Read 2005
Seido Karate Jamacia 2006 Open Tournament
Myself, Daniel and Kyle, Sue and Paul from "Dudley Shukokai Karate Club" and chief instructor Paul Campbell
and twenty of his students from U.S.A all travelled to Jamaica to compete in the Seido Karate Tournament on the 24th June.
After a very long flight we arrived in Montego Bay to be greeted by our bus which took us to our hotel which was going to be home for the next two weeks (The holiday inn suspree resort). After checking in and a change of clothes it was time to look around our hotel complex, not only did it have a stunning beach but had water sports, tennis, gym and a dojo where we were going to train every morning, after our brief look round it was time for bed as it was going to be a seven am start the following day.
Joining us for the training was former european champion Michael Salisman who helped with the training for the next few days, training was very hard for all of us as we all struggled with the fact it was in the eighty's by seven am.
Tournament Day Saturday 24th June Very early start we all had to be on the bus by 5am for the 4 hour drive to the capital Kingston. Everybody was feeling good once we arrived and the first event was black belt kata section, Daniel set the standard and achieved the first gold of the day but not to be out done Sensei Mandie took gold in the ladies section. Kyle narrowly missed out on the bronze in a closely fought battle for 3rd place and as the day went on the temperature increased steadily.
The fighting was next and Kyle was up 1st, he fought some excellent bouts against boys quite a lot bigger than himself, in the end Kyle finished a very respectable 4th position once again missing out on the bronze medal.
Daniel was up next and I knew it was always going to be a difficult fight as some of the Jamaican team were in Daniels category, however he fought very well and achieved a place in the semi-finals and as expected he would have to fight one of the Jamaican team members. The fight was exceptional and Daniel was fighting extremely well until he was knocked to the ground with a face punch, after careful consideration it was decided that Daniel would not be able to take part in the final as he had a slight concussion so settled for the silver.
There were many positive comments about the fight Daniel took part in and how well he performed from the Jamaicans, once again he has done Dudley shukokai karate club proud.
Sensei Mandie Read then fought in the masters category and gained herself a place in the final against the current Jamaican ladies champion, after a close fought fight the Jamaican won 3-2.
Another fantastic day for everyone and we all gained experience fighting in Jamaica there was some exceptional karate at this tournament and it was a challenge for everyone.
After a short period of recovery we all went sight seeing in Jamaica cliff diving, swimming with dolphins, rafting on the Martha brae river and walking up dunns water falls and last place to visit was to the Bob Marley museum.
The people of Jamaica were exceptionally hospitable and really did make the holiday for all of us, they couldn't do enough for us. The fact that Jamaica is still a very poor undeveloped country in many ways we never saw one Jamaican without a smiles on theirs faces.
I think I speak for everyone one I say thank you Jamaica.
Sensei Mandie Read
and twenty of his students from U.S.A all travelled to Jamaica to compete in the Seido Karate Tournament on the 24th June.
After a very long flight we arrived in Montego Bay to be greeted by our bus which took us to our hotel which was going to be home for the next two weeks (The holiday inn suspree resort). After checking in and a change of clothes it was time to look around our hotel complex, not only did it have a stunning beach but had water sports, tennis, gym and a dojo where we were going to train every morning, after our brief look round it was time for bed as it was going to be a seven am start the following day.
Joining us for the training was former european champion Michael Salisman who helped with the training for the next few days, training was very hard for all of us as we all struggled with the fact it was in the eighty's by seven am.
Tournament Day Saturday 24th June Very early start we all had to be on the bus by 5am for the 4 hour drive to the capital Kingston. Everybody was feeling good once we arrived and the first event was black belt kata section, Daniel set the standard and achieved the first gold of the day but not to be out done Sensei Mandie took gold in the ladies section. Kyle narrowly missed out on the bronze in a closely fought battle for 3rd place and as the day went on the temperature increased steadily.
The fighting was next and Kyle was up 1st, he fought some excellent bouts against boys quite a lot bigger than himself, in the end Kyle finished a very respectable 4th position once again missing out on the bronze medal.
Daniel was up next and I knew it was always going to be a difficult fight as some of the Jamaican team were in Daniels category, however he fought very well and achieved a place in the semi-finals and as expected he would have to fight one of the Jamaican team members. The fight was exceptional and Daniel was fighting extremely well until he was knocked to the ground with a face punch, after careful consideration it was decided that Daniel would not be able to take part in the final as he had a slight concussion so settled for the silver.
There were many positive comments about the fight Daniel took part in and how well he performed from the Jamaicans, once again he has done Dudley shukokai karate club proud.
Sensei Mandie Read then fought in the masters category and gained herself a place in the final against the current Jamaican ladies champion, after a close fought fight the Jamaican won 3-2.
Another fantastic day for everyone and we all gained experience fighting in Jamaica there was some exceptional karate at this tournament and it was a challenge for everyone.
After a short period of recovery we all went sight seeing in Jamaica cliff diving, swimming with dolphins, rafting on the Martha brae river and walking up dunns water falls and last place to visit was to the Bob Marley museum.
The people of Jamaica were exceptionally hospitable and really did make the holiday for all of us, they couldn't do enough for us. The fact that Jamaica is still a very poor undeveloped country in many ways we never saw one Jamaican without a smiles on theirs faces.
I think I speak for everyone one I say thank you Jamaica.
Sensei Mandie Read