Photo: (l-r) Ali Safa, 2nd in Boys Form Division and 3rd Boys Fighting Division; Amphree Swasey, 1st in Boys Form Division and Boys Fighting Division; Olivia Ruia, 1st in Girls Fighting Division and Girls Form Division
by Charles Gladden
BELIZE CITY, Tues. June 6, 2023
Karate and Taekwondo students of the House of Shotokan Karate Academy in Belize City traveled to Chetumal, Mexico on Saturday, June 3, to participate in a Taekwondo Championship, and four students achieved medals for their performance.
The results of the students’ performance range from 1st to 3rd place in each of their respective categories. Amphree Swasey, 7, won 1st place in the Boys Form Division and Boys Fighting Division. Olivia Ruta, 7, placed 1st in the Girls Form Division and Girls Fighting Division. Ali Safa, 10, placed 2nd in the 10-year-old Boys Form Division and 3rd place in the 10-year-old Boys Fighting Division. Isaiah Rivero, 15, won 2nd in the Men Beginners Form Division and 3rd in the Youth Fighting Division.
The students of House of Shotokan Karate Academy were recognized at the tournament for their “never quitting” spirit in the Taekwondo event.
On Tuesday, June 6, a small ceremony was held at the House of Shotokan Karate Academy where Amandala spoke to Olivia Ruta, who described her experience.
“The karate tournament was amazing. I got to fight a lot. It was pretty fun and Shihan [Ray Kelly] made me feel confident and at home,” she said.
Ruta has been practicing the sport for an estimated one year. For children her age, karate would be an afterthought later in life, but she mentioned that she picked up the sport from seeing a flyer at her school.
“I wanted to come here for a long time. Finally, at school, this guy was putting up posters of karate and my mom got one, and I wanted to go, and my mom messaged Shihan and I came. It was an amazing thing that has happened to me,” she explained.
Ruta further expressed that she loves the sport and is looking forward to more tournaments and will be continuing in the sport.
As a result of their outstanding performance in Chetumal, the students were invited to participate in upcoming Taekwondo Championships in Cancun and Playa Del Carmen, Mexico in the upcoming months.