2010 Goshin Ryu Karate Invitational

By Bill Bly

Sensei Luis Ruiz invited us to the Goshin Ryu Karate Invitational tournament held at the Elmcor Center here in Queens NY. This was the second year for the event. He expected about 250 competitors based on last year’s attendance and true to his expectations he had a full house. This event is a NYTL (New York Traditional Karate League) event. The league has been making progress to provide a consistently well-run event with a large corps of officials and volunteers.

The 3rd Otosan International Karate Cup

By Bill Bly

Sensei Javier Mantilla hosted the 3rd Otosan event in New York City. Gauchos Gym in the Bronx was a convenient location where more than 250 competitors were in attendance. New York karate events consistently attract 220 plus competitors so it was not a surprise to see the venue full with a large number of spectators on hand to enthusiastically cheer on the athletes.

There were more than a dozen countries in attendances as we could see athletes from Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Guatemala, Mexico, Puerto Rico, USA and Venezuela. An event in NYC that attracts international competitors is a great opportunity for local athletes to test their skills against some of the best from other countries.

February 26, 2010

Shihan Serge Clark Chief instructor of OKINAWA karate KOBUDO kai hosted the 6th karate KOBUDO championships on January 31, 2010. Since moving to long island, New York from the beautiful state of Hawaii 12 years ago, Shihan Clark has hosted six tournaments in the New York area. As a trade mark the tournament stated right on time at 9:00 am sharp. The national anthem was playing as the crowds were finding there way into the Elmcor gym located in Corona Queens. The few who were not use to tournaments starting on time were disappointed; when they arrived late and discover that there divisions already went.

WSKF News

The newly refurbished Edmonds Community College gym was filled with 250 competitors from 40 different dojos for Washington State Karate-do Federation’s 2010 Invitational Tournament and USA-NKF Qualifier.  This event, which is reputed to be one of the best regional karate tournaments in the country, continues to draw top competitors and teams from across the USA and British Columbia.  Greatly improved spectator seating, enhanced lighting, a freshly finished hardwood floor and new WSKF competition mats provided a perfect venue for the competition.

Of course any event like this requires a lot of help to get off the ground and we are very thankful to have a superb group of volunteers in registration, admissions, concessions, staging, score keeping, security, medical, and food services.