The local karate community came together in an evening of celebration and recognition at the Royal Hamilton Dinghy Club, as the 2nd Annual Shotocup Awards honored the exceptional accomplishments of Bermuda's karate athletes during the thrilling 2022/2023 Coral League season. This highly anticipated event showcased the unwavering dedication, remarkable talent, and outstanding sportsmanship displayed by these extraordinary individuals.
The highlight of the night was the presentation of the prestigious Director's Awards, which recognized the remarkable achievements of twenty outstanding individuals who met the stringent criteria set forth by the Shotocup committee. These individuals demonstrated their exceptional skill, commitment, and determination by either competing in three or more Shotocup events or achieving a score of 100 or more in the Shotocup rankings. The recipients of the Director's Awards included Alessia Vianello, Amarriah Vaughans, Chan Simons, Charles Issa Ndiaye, Dash Bailey, Dominique Brown, Geraldine Sidders, Giovanni Víanello, Khwai Mendoza, Marleigh Williams, Marsille Williams, Michael Burgess, Miguel Bolarinho, Noah Lowe, Talaya Sousa, Talia Iris, Taylor Ming, T'orie Russell, Toni Cabral, and Vincent Lightbourne.
In addition to honoring the outstanding athletes, special service awards were presented to the dedicated volunteers who played a pivotal role in ensuring the success of the Coral League season. Sheba Bailey, Harriet Hayward, Ivone Frias, Timothy Sousa, Sloane Johnson, Tracey Symonds, and Quannae Lowe were recognized and celebrated for their invaluable contributions to the karate community.
The evening culminated in the presentation of top honors, including the prestigious Coach of the Year award, which was bestowed upon the exceptional Gladwin "Roots" Phillips. The Athlete of the Year awards were eagerly anticipated and received with great excitement. Tony Cabral received the coveted title of Adult Male Athlete of the Year, while Talia Iris was honored as the Adult Female Athlete of the Year. Michael Burgess's outstanding performance and dedication earned him the title of Youth Male Athlete of the Year, while Geraldine Sidders was recognized as the Youth Female Athlete of the Year. Michael Burgess also achieved the highest ranking on the point chart, further solidifying his remarkable achievements.
The event was graced by the presence of esteemed guests, including Jr. Minister for Sport Kim Swan, MP Renee Ming, and Michael Weeks Minister of National Security, who added further significance to the occasion. Minister Weeks had the distinct honor of presenting the Community Award to Charles Butterfield, acknowledging his exceptional efforts in promoting unity within the karate community through kindness, collaboration, and a shared passion for the sport.
Shotocup Director Edmond Johnson expressed his immense satisfaction with the event, commending the athletes for their remarkable achievements and unwavering sportsmanship. He highlighted the positive impact of the Coral League season, emphasizing the growth and progress of the sport in Bermuda.
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