USA-NKF at Junior Pan Ams
The USA Junior Karate Team took third place at the 28th Junior Pan American Championships in Chile! The Junior US Team earned 7 gold, 3 silver, and 15 bronze medals. Congratulations to everyone! Thank You to Joey Cornel and Stacy Conrad for sending us photos and Tokey Hill and John Limcaco for results and information.
Successful competitors from this year’s national championship attended Junior Pan Am Championship in Chile. For the first time 12 and 13-year-old competitors are joining the team. For most this is their first time out to an international event.
This US Junior Team comprised of 32 athletes traveled to Santiago Chile for the XIX Jr. Pan American Championships. The Team Leader was Tokey Hill, Head of Delegation John DiPasquale, Head Coach Igaki along with coaches John Limcaco, Bob Allen, Akira Fukuda and Eric Hill. US Official in attendance were Cleve Baxter, Michael Shimabukuru, Kathy Bailey, Jo Pledge and Mary Crawford.
Click on thumbnails below to view slide show
See Results Below
Tokey Hill stated this was a very positive experience for everyone. The US Team efforts made a statement representing that it is ahead in their restructuring process and back on track. The delegation's greatest impact was how well it worked together, from the administration to coaches to athletes along with the support of the parents.
The athletes performed excellently and were strong representatives for the US with the best of manners, like young diplomats. The USA National Karate-do Federation provided the perfect environment for the athletes with a great hotel, restaurant and transportation able to accommodate the athletes and parents.
The coaches worked as a unit and came together immediately to solve problems or protest as needed so athletes could move forward. The US team can be proud of their third place overall. Hill reinforced that those that did not medal were close in matches that could have gone either way. More than once was heard “Wow we have our hands full now. We have awakened the sleeping giant.” as US athletes competed with great spirit and determination.
Tokey added this was one of the best delegations he had ever been involved in and the Federation has created a user friendly environment and is great to see that we have a lot of talent coming up.
Ashley Hill of NY age 20 was one of team captains along with Robbie Reithmeir from CA. She earned a silver medal in kumite. For her this was a fun event and the kids were awesome and the coaches great. It was her favorite trip of all. She added "tonight I start getting ready for Tokyo where she will compete at the senior World Championship in November".
USA results of the XIX Jr. Pan American Championships in Santiago, Chile.
Click on the photos below for slide show
12-13
female kata Lynnel Gonales-Azurin Bronze
male kumite -35 kg Matthew Tamayo Silver
male kumite -45kg Benjamin Iwakiri Gold
female kumite -47kg Chelcie Limcaco Silver
male kumite -50 kg Jarryd Dote Bronze
female -40 kg Michela Rahaim Bronze
female -45 kg Joane Orbon Gold
female +45 kg Renee Cook-Castano Gold
14-15
male kata Mihael Cornel Bronze
female kata Sakura Kokumai Gold
male kumite -57 kg Rupertson Espinosa Gold
male kumite -70 kg Michael Cornel Gold
male +70 kg Joey Paper Bronze
female kumite -47 kg Silver
female kumite +54 kg Shelby Konrad Bronze
16-17
male kata Rance China Bronze
female kata Jessica Brew Bronze
male kumite -61 kg Kent Hori Gold
male kumite -76 kg Connor Noda Bronze
female kumite -48 kg Tyler Wolfe
female kumite +59 kg Jessica Brew Bronze
18-20
female kumite -60kg Ashley Hill Silver
female +60 kg Jenna Weber Bronze
male -78 kg Brian Irr Bronze
male open Robert Reithmeier Bronze
Male Team Kumite Roberrt Reithmeier, Jeremy Pharris and Brian Irr Bronze
Total 25 medals.
We will bring you more information as it becomes available.
|
News 
