Purple Dragon set to kick it at world championships
Members of the Purple Dragon Cayman team on their way to Trinidad
(CNS): A team from Cayman is taking part in the Purple Dragon World Karate Championships, set for 17-19 July. This event takes place in Trinidad every five years and attracts about 1,000 competitors from around the world.
The Purple Dragon dojo and students have been preparing for months for this trip and, in recent weeks, have been training for up to six hours every day, weekends included, under the direction of Sensei Atonio Thompson, and supported by other senseis and instructors.
With a large team from Cayman competing this year, fundraising was an important exercise, and Sensei Floyd Baptiste, who runs the Cayman dojo, thanked all sponsors and volunteers for their assistance and, in particular, Cayman National for stepping up as title sponsor.
All competitors were involved in fundraising efforts which included a raffle, a fun run and a karate showcase held in Camana Bay.
“The support of the local community as sponsors, at the fun run, raffle and showcase has been very motivating for the Cayman Islands team travelling to compete at this exciting event,” Baptiste said. “The students are all looking forward to representing the Cayman Islands and bringing home as many medals as possible.”
He hopes to build on their previous success, he added. “When we competed in this event in 2010, we did very well and brought home several medals. This time we hope to do even better, and make our Purple Dragon Cayman friends and family, and the wider community, very proud.”
The 27 male and female competitors representing Cayman range in age from under 10 to over 50. They will be competing in a variety of categories including sparring, katas, weapons, self defence and the highly anticipated team demo.
As well as Cayman National, Purple Dragon Cayman also received support from DART, Williams2, Tower, RBC, Walkers, DMS and Sprint.
