Youth Tournament

Congratulations to Eleni, Christianna and William who represented the Lafayette Karate Kids at the All South Youth Tournament in Ponchatoula on October 23. This was the first tournament the Club has had youth competitors. Even though they may have been nervous, they all held their composure, remembered their katas, and sparred very well!

Eleni Lemoine: 2nd Place Kata, 1st Place Kumite (sparring) 12, 13, 14 year old Beginners
Christianna Lemoine: 1st Place Kata, 9, 10, 11 year old Beginners
William Lemoine: competed in the 9, 10, 11 year old Beginner division as well. He won his first sparring match!

Thanks to the entire Kids class who helped train for tournament competition!

Tournament Competition

I would be remiss if I didn't include updates about tournament participation and results as part of our news. The kids class hasn't yet had any body compete, but the Youth Tournament is coming up in October, so maybe we'll have some news from the kids class at that time. We do, however, have several members of our JKA affiliated sister clubs who are regular faces at tournaments. Here are some results from the last couple of tournaments:

March 2010 - 46th Annual All South Tournament/New Orleans

• Holly Damico - 2nd Place in Women’s Black Belt Kumite
• Kenneth Cross - 1st Place in Men’s Color Belt Kata
• Justin Swaty - 1st Place in Men’s White-Orange Belt Kata
  1st Place in Men’s White-Orange Belt Kumite
• Andy Oguma - 3rd Place in Men’s White-Orange Belt Kata
  3rd Place in Men’s White-Orange Belt Kumite

November 2009 - 1st JKA - American Federation National Championship

• Lane Nevils - 2nd Men's Black Belt Kata, 2nd Mens' Black Belt Kumite
• Soon Yeoh - 3rd Mens' Black Belt Kumite
• Holly Damico - 3rd Black Belt Adult Women’s Kumite
• Kenneth Cross - 1st Men’s Collegiate Color Belt Kata
  3rd Men’s Collegiate Color Belt Kumite
• Gilbert Moore - 2nd Men’s Collegiate Color Belt Kumite
• Michael Buquet - 2nd Men’s Collegiate Brown/Black Belt Kata
  1st Men’s Collegiate Brown/Black Belt Kumite

The highlight video from this tournament:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0Fi-c2EnCo