Report: Maui Tournament 2010

From the tears, sweat and blood, the Maui tournament last month opened the opportunity for students at our Dojo, JKA Hawaii, to compete again or even for the first time. It was definitely a defining moment for some people and of course, it was a lot of fun for a lot. Before the tournament, the students finally relax and go to sites like the pool then later, the dinner with all the competitors. Along with some games, delicious food and fun conversations I think that our karate class quickly bonded well and that made the whole trip enjoyable.

After the fun was over, it was serious for the students and we had 8 strong representatives from Oahu. Every single student put their best foot forward and performed Kata and Kumite. Of course, Sensei was very satisfied and happy of what everyone did in terms of their overall achievements.

Students like Tryphena Hsu really showed she had improved throughout her time at our Dojo. As Maui Champion, she got her game face on and proved her talented skills by performing “Heian Nedan.”

Another young contender, Justine Okazaki, performed another job well done even if the nervous tension seemed to get her. Justine was very brave as she performed the “Heian Sandan” and a Kumite against her friend, Tryphena.

Our next representative was Rainer Okazaki, and as usual, Rainer had a good sense of what he was doing. There were a lot of competitors in his field so he had more competition but under that stress, Rainer still maintains a good Kata. “Good job” from Sensei!

In a more advanced stage, the brown and black belts were last to compete for prestigious prizes. Our brown belt representatives, which include Anthony Wada, performed the “Basai Dai” and Kumite. Caleb Hsu and Eric Girton also did the same as they were all on the same level with the same tension. The kumite was very aggressive to the brown belts and it brought more complexity to their level. Sometimes the students had to face each other, but were very serious and took everything they know to apply it to their skill. But all in all, Caleb, Anthony and Eric did a great job!

They also performed a team kata to demonstrate in front of the audience but they got the highest scores, even more than the black belts! Martin, from the Waikiki and Kapahulu Dojo also came to compete at the highest level of black belts and also was committed like everyone else! Although we all didn’t have a lot of practice to get ready for the tournament, the black and brown belts from our dojo did great efforts to show us well.

Also, the wonderful competitors from the other islands made the tournament more exciting, so thank you!

Of course at the end of the day, all the students were proud of themselves and really showed how hard they worked throughout their time here. They received lots of awards and prizes after participating that include:

KATA RESULTS

Youth Mixed 10th Kyu

• 1. Dylan Takahashi (LAHAINA)
• 2. Angelina DeCoite (LAHAINA)
• 3. Yuna Lee (LAHAINA)

Youth Male 9th-8th Kyu

• 1. Kameron Gerard (MAUI)
• 2. Kainoa Carpenter (MAUI)
• 3. Ethan Tsuhako (MAUI)

Youth Female 7th-6th Kyu

• 1. Trphena Hsu (OAHU)
• 2. Kaiwi Westbrooks (LAHAINA)
• 3. Justine Okazakai (OAHU)

Youth Supplemental Female Kata

• 1. Kelsi Fillon (MAUI)
• 2. Addison Marten (LAHAINA)
• 3. Peyton Marten (LAHAINA)

Youth Male 7th-6th Kyu

• 1. Jaden Texeira (MAUI)
• 2. Justin Campos-Rieta (MAUI)
• 3. Brody Yamada (MAUI)

Youth Mixed 5th-4th Kyu

• 1. Iokepa Supnet (MAUI)
• 2. Krysta Santos (MAUI)
• 3. Ranier Okazaki (OAHU)

Youth Male 3rd-1st Kyu

• 1. Anthony Wada (OAHU)
• 2. Caleb Hsu (OAHU)
• 3. Michael Doan (LAHAINA)

Adult 6th Kyu

• 1. Richard Girton (OAHU)

Youth Make Black Belts

• 1. Jacob Lum Long (LAHAINA)
• 2. Jonathon Lum Long (LAHAINA)
• 3. Calen Matsuda (LAHAINA)

Adult Brown and Black Belts

• 1. Martin Jans (OAHU)
• 2. Glen Delatori (LAHAINA)
• 3. David Williams (MAUI)

KUIMTE REULTS

Youth Mixed 10th Kyu

• 1. Makoa Palau Agdepa (LAHAINA)
• 2. Angelina DeCoite (LAHAINA)
• 3. Dylan Takahashi (LAHAINA)

Youth Male 9th-8th Kyu

• 1. Kameron Gerard (MAUI)
• 2. Kainoa Carpenter (MAUI)
• 3. Ethan Tsuhako (MAUI)

Youth Female 7th-6th Kyu

• 1. Trphena Hsu (OAHU)
• 2. Justine Okazaki (OAHU)
• 3. Kaiwi Westbrooks (LAHAINA)

Youth Male 7th Kyu

• 1. Justin Campos-Rieta (MAUI)
• 2. Brody Yamada (MAUI)
• 3. Ainakea Corona (LAHAINA)

Youth 5th-4th Kyu

• 1. Blaine Casil (LAHAINA)
• 2. Kaimana Supnet (MAUI)
• 3. Mykah Santos (MAUI)

Youth Male 3rd-1st Kyu

• 1. Eric Girton (OAHU)
• 2. Anthony Wada (OAHU)
• 3. Caleb Hsu (OAHU)

Youth Black Belts

• 1. Jonathon Lum Long (LAHAINA)
• 2. Calen Matsuda (LAHAINA)
• 3. Jacob Lum Long (LAHAINA)

Adult Brown and Black Belts

• 1. Martin Jans (OAHU)
• 2. David Williams (MAUI)
• 3. Randy Ginoza (LAHAINA)

Most Outstanding Male:

• Kameron Gerard (MAUI)

Most Outstanding Female:

• Trphena Hsu (OAHU)

Anyways, for everyone who participated did very well and it was a great time! Congratulations to everyone!