KINGSTON, Jamaica – Local karate organisations benefited from a high-performance sport karate seminar at the St Andrew Preparatory School on Sunday as stakeholders look to develop world class Jamaican athletes in the martial art.

Organised by RTW Shotokan Karate Association of Jamaica, the event was the brainchild of the association’s chairman, Sensei Rasthaddaeus Wright, and featured internationally-certified trainers conducting an awareness session on high-performance karate training while also sensitising participants on the new Kata and Kumite World Karate Federation (WKF) rules which come into effect in January 2023.

“We want to get the karate organisations in Jamaica up to WKF standard, rules and regulations, which is why we brought down Master Dexter Shim who is a WKF certified coach and Sensei Cameron King who is a Pan American Federation certified coach,” Steven Lynch, interim president of the RTW Shotokan Karate Association of Jamaica, told OBSERVER ONLINE.

(From left) Steve Lynch, Master Dexter Shim and Richardo Lewis.

Sahara Karram stretches during a session.

Noah Singh listens to instructions at the seminar.

WKF Certified Coach/Instructor, Master Dexter Shim, 9th Dan

Lee Michael Henry going through a routine.

Participants listen attentively during a session at the seminar.

Participants relax during a break.

The seminar featured a number of internationally certified coaches.

Sensei Cameron King, Pan American Federation certified coach

Noah Singh (centre) in good company as he shares lens time with coaches at the seminar.