The 8th Budo Cup Kumite Championships were held at the Somersfield Academy Gymnasium.
Reuben Bean, President & Chief Instructor of Jiketsu Martial Productions hailed the tournament a huge success. “I am extremely pleased with the overall enhancements, management, execution and success of the 8th Budo Cup Kumite Championships,” said Sensei Bean. “Consistent with our philosophy, we aim to set the standard by providing quality events that afford the opportunity for our young athletes to develop and hone their skill-sets at a very high World Karate Federation standard. To this end, I am pleased that we completed this phase of our development and accomplished our objectives and goals.”
The CHILDREN OPEN 3-4 Division saw Nyah Bean and Austen Fagundo warm up the tatami (competition mat) demonstrating Kihon (basics) and Kumite (sparring techniques) along side of Sensei Reuben Bean – a delight to see the very young understanding and execution of the techniques and etiquette of a World Karate Federation (WKF) tournament environment.
The CHILDREN MALE 5-6 Division saw Amari Bean battle for GOLD with Chancellor DeShield taking SILVER and Rhys Tucker-Bowen claiming BRONZE. Andre Fox, Jarred Jones, Khaden Nisbett, Life Robinson, Nhari Gilbert and Nile Armstrong displayed excellent poise, flow and sportsmanship to round out the category.
In the CHILDREN MALE 7-8 Division, Nico Bean, fought consistently hard to claim GOLD in a very competitive division with Namazio Dill (debut) challenging Bean’s skill-set and eventually earning a deserving SILVER. Khamrai Nisbett battled hard to claim the BRONZE. Rounding out the division were Maximus Lightbourne and Shane Smith. In the CHILDREN FEMALE 7-8 Division Champion Rose Paulos claimed GOLD over confident newcomer Enzi Johnson with Emily Paulos claimimg BRONZE.
Taylor Herzog and Heidi Paulos (5 yrs. old) demonstrated tremendous bravado, rounding out the 7-8 female division. The CHILDREN MALE 9-10 Division was hotly contested with Khari Sharrieff emerging victorious claiming GOLD in a very exciting group by narrowly beating David McDonald in the finals. In the battle for third place, Kallan Todd moved past tough veteran, Thomas Attridge to earn the BRONZE medal. In the CHILDREN FEMALE 9-10 Division Chloe Fagundo moved past Katie Gunther with Scarlett Wakefield, displaying great determination earning her BRONZE. The CHILDREN MALE 11-13 Division was testing with former Champion Trey Vance was defeated by William Attridge who secured GOLD. Tyler Furtado, displayed fire and determination to lift the BRONZE. Mason Swan, was unable to compete due to sickness.
