The Belize Karate Federation (BKF) was honoured this past weekend in Managua by Comandante Daniel Ortega, President of the Republic of Nicaragua, when its delegation of athletes, coaches and officials became the first to participate in a prestigious Iberoamerican sporting championships, contested by Spain and Latin American countries. The BKF participated in the IV Iberoamerican Karate championships, which were contested by 22 countries in all. The BKF sent one athlete – Miss Asha Pastor; two judges and referees – Sensei David Diego and Sensei Herman Pastor, Jr.; cultural attaché – Dr. Pamela Barnett; and technical specialist – Mtro. Amílcar Barnett.
Asha Pastor finished fourth overall in the female Kata, losing to Mabel Cárdenas of México, the eventual gold medalist. Sensei David Diego of the Cayo Shotokan Karate Club (Belmopan) completed an arduous schedule, officiating 35 matches, including a final. Overall, the Dominican Republic and Mexico finished first, Venezuela second and El Salvador third. Sensei Pastor and Sensei Diego also participated in coaching and officiating seminars essential to the development of the sport in Belize.
The invitation to participate in the Iberoamerican championships is an acknowledgment by our neighbours of the BKF’s efforts to develop Karate and of Belize as a Central American nation where Spanish is widely spoken. The BKF’s hard work and regional recognition has advanced the development of Belizean sport by opening doors for Belizean athletes, coaches and officials in all sports to participate in future Iberoamerican championships and further collaboration with our Central American and Caribbean neighbours.