By TENAJH SWEETING

Tribune Sports Reporter

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE Bassai Bahamas Karate-Do hosted the second edition of the open karate tourney/Bahamas Karate Championships this past weekend at the Kendal G L Isaacs Gymnasium.

The day was action packed as competitors clashed in various divisions such as Kumite point fighting, Kata, weapons, kickboxing and the Masters Cup.

In the second year, the event also honoured the Grandmasters of martial arts Alex Penn, Kenneth Lewis, Frankie Adderley and the late great Basil Rolle.

Sensei Shawn Smith Sr, chief instructor for Bassai Bahamas Karate-Do International, talked about how impressed he was at this second edition of the Bahamas Karate Championships.

“I am elated and I thank the Lord for blessing us with such a wonderful tournament today. I am very happy about the turnout of competitors and spectators alike. The tournament in my opinion is a success,” Smith said.

Sensei Smith was also very happy with the work of the younger karatekas.

“It was awesome that they came out and performed very well and we had great awards. The young kids are ready and are fighting fiercely in a controlled environment,” he said.

For the Covenant Masters Cup competition, professor Alfredo Rolle won the kata division with first place after a masterclass performance in front of the judges. Sensei Elrick McKinney was ranked second best by the judges and third place belonged to Master Julian Rolle.

Rolle, professor at the National Academy of Martial Arts, talked about his win with confidence.

“It’s some competition out there but I am good at what I do.

“The competition was in doubt but then after I got out there I had to do what I had to do, putting them behind me and getting to work,” the Master Cup winner said.

He added that it is always good to compete at a high level because you no longer have to wonder where you are after competing against other greats and you get the motivation to continue.

The 67-year-old said his win will be a big motivation to his students to get back involved in these competitions.

In the black belt kata, Antonese Higgs Jr finished first.

Demetrius Robinson wrapped up second and M Dancer Lightbourne came in third.

In the senior division for the same event, Ogae Tao Antonese Higgs Sr emerged victorious after executing the best solo martial arts movements.

Second place finisher was Master Marcus Shadow Rolle. Akash Simmons won the continuous sparring for the lightweight division.

In the 16-17 division for the boys kata forms, Treyvien Brown placed first in the competition. Johnathan Davis was awarded second place and Osei Mazard nabbed third.

Brown also collected another first place finish in the 16-17 division for intermediate sparring.

Mazard this time advanced to a higher position, finishing second.

Jabari Miller finished on top in the advanced 16-17 boys sparring and Shamar Lewis ended the competition in second.

One of the main focuses of the tourney was to highlight the Grandmasters while they are alive, according to sensei Smith.

On Saturday, all of the aforementioned Grandmasters were given their flowers.

Grandmaster Lewis was acknowledged for being one of the most decorated martial artists in The Bahamas. His accomplishments include the opening of Four Winds Kung Fu in 1972, officiating over 100 international tournaments, and being featured in the Black Belt magazine in 1977. “I would like to thank Master Julian and Smith for the honours bestowed upon me today. I am humbled, honoured and grateful,” Lewis said.

Grandmaster Lewis said he was pleased with the level of expertise and enthusiasm in the martial arts students and is very proud of the new leaders in the art who will take it to another level.

Grandmaster Penn received his flowers for accomplishments, including studying karate for over 47 years, being a member of the 1981 Bahamas Full Contact Karate Team, and getting promoted to black belt in 1983.

“I feel great, it’s an honour to be here. I thank God [because] He has allowed me to be here and to be chosen to walk among these men as the youngest Grandmaster in The Bahamas,” Penn said.

His advice to the new leaders was to continue the art by maintaining the discipline in martial arts so that the kids can continue to be better persons in their community and life.

The late Grandmaster Rolle was honoured for his contributions as a former police officer who saw the need for The Bahamas Tong Dojo Karate School of Self Defense in 1967. His school produced individuals such as Master Brian Beckford, Master Julian Rolle and his son Master Haven Rolle.

Rolle collected the award on behalf of his father.

“It’s kind of like a culmination of his dedication and service to the martial arts field, mentoring and training children from the ripe age of five until adulthood,” he said.

He added that it was a grand pleasure to accept on behalf of his father who helped some adults and it proves that everything he taught was the real deal.

Grandmaster Adderley was the first Bahamian to receive the rank and is an inductee of the Cosmopolitan Florida Hall of Fame. Additionally, he has more than 40 years of experience in martial arts.

Sensei Smith encouraged parents to enrol their kids into martial arts whether they are troubled or victims of bullying as it will teach them how to rechannel their energy or frustration.

He emphasised that the martial arts world is about building a community of people that The Bahamas can be proud of.