The local touring party returned home with a seven-medal haul, including two gold by Sewett and Holder, three silver and two bronze.

Guyana produced the best karate fighter in the region as Holder placed first in the Men’s Individual Open Kumite. Teammate David Hardy placed third.

Sewett was also a best fighter, winning the 12-&-Under Girls’ Individual Kumite. Two Guyanese clashed in the final, with Kristina Cheeks taking the silver.

Cheeks claimed another silver medal in the 12-&-Under Kata, to be the most consistent of the team.

The third silver came from Samuel Ming in the 13-15 Years Individual Kata, considered on the challenging divisions in the championships.

Nathalie Gibson emerged the region’s third best fighter, clinching the bronze in the Women’s Individual Open Kumite.

According to Chief Instructor of the local contingent, Amir Khouri, the boys won the hearts of the crowd when they competed in the Men’s Team Kata. Ming, Phillip Romalho and Judd Walton carried the Golden Arrowhead to the finals.

“Boys doing a man’s job,” Khouri declared.

However, Khouri reported that the boys were intimidated by the men’s power, form and focus but they finished a respectable fourth.

Guyana fielded ten competitors, while hosts Trinidad & Tobago had 25, Barbados 20, Jamaica 13, Antigua & Barbuda 12, Grenada six, St Lucia five and St Vincent & the Grenadines four.

Khouri disclosed that lack of funds almost robbed Guyana of gold, two silver and the bronze.

“These medallists had no sponsorship.”

The local Guyana Japan Karate Association (GJKA) was unable to raise enough funds for the entire team because the invitation came late from Trinidad & Tobago.

There was money for just four members, while Colin Ming of Mings Products & Services fully funded two and the officials paid their way. Ming eventually loaned the GJKA the money for the other four competitors.