On Saturday, November 2, 2024, the 17th Annual International Karate League (IKL) Karate Championship was held at the Kekuaokalani Gymnasium in Kailua-Kona with 119 competitors of various age groups from Karate schools around the Big Island and the State of Hawaiʻi. The number of entries increased by 40% over last year, which was a restart after a 4-year Covid-related hiatus.
“We are so grateful and pleased for the support of the Big Island community and volunteers,” said Tournament Director Julian SHIROMA. “And a big shoutout to all of the competitors who trained so hard and to their teachers who are perpetuating the art of Karate in Hawaiʻi.”
The tournament featured traditional Karate competition in three events: Kata (Forms), Kobudo (Weapons), and Kumite (Sparring).
The Most Outstanding Karate Competitor Perpetual Trophy went to Laeloa Deniz of the IKL Captain Cook Dojo. Laeloa placed first in Kata (Green Belt Boys 12-13 yo), first in Kumite (Beginner/Novice 12-13 yo) and first in Kobudo (Novice 10-12 yo).
Winning the Most Outstanding Dojo Perpetual Trophy was Ken Zen Karate with 86.5 points, the Captain Cook Dojo (IKL) was 2nd with 81.5 points, and the Kailua-Kona Dojo (IKL) was 3rd with 64 points.
Individual results of the tournament are as follows:
KATA (FORMS) COMPETITION:
Junior Division:
Kata White Belts 6-8 yo (boys & girls)
1st Place – Gabriel Ragasa – IKL Honokaa Dojo
2nd Place – Sandy Speidal – WKA Hakalau Dojo
3rd Place – Evie-Claire Monroe – IKL Waimea Dojo
Kata White Belts 9 yo (boys & girls)
1st Place – Yui Watanabe – Shotokan Karate Intʻl Federation
2nd Place – Maria Isaksson – Hawaii Kobudo League
3rd Place – Enzo Patten – WKA Hakalau Dojo
Kata White Belts 11 yo (boys & girls)
1st Place – Troy Kawamura – Shotokan Karate Intʻl Federation
2nd Place – Kenyan Costello – Ken Zen Karate
3rd Place – Leianah Esteban – Hawaii Wado Karate Assoc.
4th Place – Faith Bradley- IKL Kailua-Kona Dojo
Kata White Belts 13-14 yo (boys & girls)
1st Place – Callum Williamson – IKL Kailua-Kona Dojo
2nd Place – Alyssa Takai – Hawaii Wado Karate Assoc.
Kata Purple Belts 6-8 yo (boys & girls)
1st Place – Jozaiah Graffon – WKA Hakalau
2nd Place – Keahi Tam Sing – IKL Waimea Dojo
3rd Place – Skyler Maltezo – IKL Honokaa Dojo
Kata Purple Belt 9 yo (boys & girls)
1st Place – Lilica Ushioda – Ken Zen Karate
2nd Place – Leʻalani Hughes – Ken Zen Karate
3rd Place – Jordan Jaban – IKL Captain Cook Dojo
Kata Purple Belt 10-11 yo (boys)
1st Place – Kai Valenzuela – IKL Kailua-Kona Dojo
2nd Place – Liam Hasegawa – IKL Hilo Bay Dojo
3rd Place – Ayden Dewes – IKL Kailua-Kona Dojo
Kata Purple Belt 12 yo (boys & girls)
1st Place – Andrew Llantero – Hawaii Wado Karate Assoc.
2nd Place – Torin Okamoto – IKL Kailua-Kona Dojo
3rd Place – Punahou Ravey – Hawaii Wado Karate Assoc.
Kata Purple Belt 13-14 yo (boys & girls)
1st Place – Leyla Stevens – Hawaii Wado Karate Assoc.
2nd Place – Kaohu Deniz – IKL Captain Cook Dojo
3rd Place – Ezekiel Bradley – IKL Kailua-Kona Dojo
4th Place – Joshua Hasegawa – IKL Hilo Bay Dojo
Kata Green Belt 7-9 yo (boys & girls)
1st Place – ʻEkolu Kamakau – IKL Captain Cook Dojo
2nd Place – Austin Lai – IKL Captain Cook Dojo
3rd Place – Yzabelle Josol – Ken Zen Karate
Kata Green Belt 10 yo (boys & girls)
1st Place – Rylie Uyeda- Ken Zen Karate
2nd Place – Mie Funakoshi – IKL Kailua-Kona Dojo
3rd Place – Kendyl Uyeda – Ken Zen Karate
Kata Green Belt 11 yo (boys & girls)
1st Place – Brooklyn Manasas – IKL Kailua-Kona Dojo
2nd Place – Kai Swindler – IKL Kailua-Kona Dojo
3rd Place – Liv Josol – Ken Zen Karate
Kata Green Belt 12-13 yo (boys)
1st Place – Laeloa Deniz – IKL Captain Cook Dojo
2nd Place – Jorelle Cuevas – Ken Zen Karate
3rd Place – Caleb Tevaga – IKL Hilo Bay Dojo
4th Place – Clancy Lauer – IKL Hilo Bay Dojo
Kata Blue Belts 9-11 yo (boys & girls)
1st Place – Jeziel Lun – IKL Paauilo Dojo
2nd Place – Mikayla Yadira Cuevas – Ken Zen Karate
3rd Place – Hiliualei Aika Marie Lee – Ken Zen Karate
Kata Blue Belts 12 yo (boys & girls)
1st Place – Kento Cody Ushioda – Ken Zen Karate
2nd Place – Phillip Josol – Ken Zen Karate
3rd Place – Sachika Auuekailaui Lee – Ken Zen Karate
4th Place – Theo Hayes – Ken Zen Karate
Kata Brown Belts 11-14 (boys & girls)
1st Place – Lilia Lundburg – WKA Hakalau Dojo
2nd Place – Ricky Lundburg – WKA Hakalau Dojo
3rd Place – Michael Angelo Juan – IKL Keaau Dojo
Open Division:
Kata Open White Belt
1st Place – Irene Garrison – Hawaii Wado Karate Assoc.
Kata Open Green Belt
1st Place – Mirtha Oliveros – IKL Keaau Dojo
2nd Place – Janet Dayawon – IKL Hilo Armory Dojo
3rd Place – Gabriel Motas – IKL Honokaa Dojo
Kata Open Blue Belt
1st Place – Louise Ragasa – IKL Honokaa Dojo
2nd Place – Tryston Asuncion – IKL Honokaa Dojo
Kata Open Brown Belt Women
1st Place – Andra Tejero – IKL McCully Dojo
2nd Place – Denise deBeer – Shotokan Karate Intʻl Federation
3rd Place – Elissa-Kaitlyn Gold – IKL Honokaa Dojo
4th Place – Janice Quebral – IKL Keaau Dojo
Kata Open Brown Belt Men
1st Place – Riki Furuto – IKL Kailua-Kona Dojo
2nd Place – Isaiah Lun – IKL Paauilo Dojo
3rd Place – Daniel Garey – IKL Paauilo Dojo
Kata Black Belt Senior Women
1st Place – Masako Janeway – Shotokan Karate Intʻl Federation
2nd Place – Patricia Taniguchi – World Karate Academy
Kata Black Belt Senior Men (40-54 yo)
1st Place – Zach Nye – Hawaii Elite Goju-Ryu
2nd Place – Wilbur Mina – IKL Hilo Armory Dojo
Kata Black Belt Masters Men (55+ yo)
1st Place – Wayne Okamura – Shinshu Kyokai
2nd Place – Gary Hiramatsu – Shinshu Kyokai Dojo
3rd Place – Richard deBeer – Shotokan Karate Intʻl Federation
Kata Black Belt Women Open
1st Place – Jenna Shiroma – IKL Captain Cook Dojo
Kata Black Belt Men Open
1st Place – Jace Shiroma – IKL Captain Cook
2nd Place – Gavin Hiramatsu – IKL Shinshu Kyokai Dojo
3rd Place – Hunter Mercado – IKL Kailua-Kona Dojo
KOBUDO (WEAPONS) COMPETITION
Kobudo Novice 9 yo
1st Place – Jordan Jaban – IKL Captain Cook
2nd Place – ʻEkolu Kamakau III – IKL Captain Cook
3rd Place – Austin Lai – IKL Captain Cook Dojo
4th Place – Aria Lun – IKL Paauilo Dojo
Kobudo Novice 10-12 yo
1st Place – Laeloa Deniz – IKL Captain Cook Dojo
2nd Place – Brooklyn Manasas – IKL Kailua-Kona Dojo
3rd Place – Kai Swindler – IKL Kailua-Kona Dojo
4th Place – Mie Funakoshi – IKL Kailua-Kona Dojo
Kobudo Intermediate/Advanced 10-13 yo (boys)
1st Place – Jeziel Lun – IKL Paauilo Dojo
2nd Place – Zais Lun – IKL Paauilo Dojo
3rd Place – Jackson Garey – IKL Paauilo Dojo
Kobudo Women Open Advanced
1st Place – Jenna Shiroma – IKL Captain Cook Dojo
Kobudo Men Masters Advanced
1st Place – Wayne Okamura – IKL Shinshu Kyokai Dojo
2nd Place – Gary Hiramatsu – IKL Shinshu Kyokai Dojo
3rd Place – Robert Yap – IKL Waimea Dojo
4th Place – Isaac Kawamoto – IKL Kohala Dojo
Kobudo Men Open Advanced
1st Place – Jace Shiroma – IKL Captain Cook Dojo
2nd Place – Riki Furuto – IKL Kailua-Kona Dojo
3rd Place – Kenichi Furuto – IKL Kailua-Kona Dojo
KUMITE (SPARRING) COMPETITION:
Junior Division:
Kumite Beginner/Novice 6-7 yo (boys & girls)
1st Place – Keani Kamakau – IKL Captain Cook Dojo
2nd Place – Skyler Maltezo – IKL Honokaa Dojo
3rd Place – Tatum-Zane Maltezo – IKL Honokaa Dojo
Kumite Beginner/Novice 8-9 yo (girls)
1st Place – Yzabelle Josol – Ken Zen Karate
2nd Place – Sandy Speidel – WKA Hakalau Dojo
3rd Place – Hiliualei Aika Marie Lee – Ken Zen Karate
Kumite Beginner/Novice 9 yo (boys)
1st Place – ʻEkolu Kamakau – IKL Captain Cook Dojo
2nd Place – Luke Garrison – Hawaii Wado Karate Assoc.
3rd Place – Gavin Shiosaki – Sho-En Kan Mililani Dojo
Kumite Beginner/Novice 10-11 yo (girls)
1st Place – Rylie Uyeda – Ken Zen Karate
2nd Place – Brooklyn Manasas – IKL Kailua-Kona Dojo
3rd Place – Mie Funakoshi – IKL Kailua-Kona Dojo
Kumite Beginner/Novice 10-11 yo (boys)
1st Place – Kai Valenzuela – IKL Kailua-Kona Dojo
2nd Place – Toby Dacquel – IKL Honokaa Dojo
3rd Place – Troy Kawamura – Shotokan Karate Intʻl Federation
Kumite Beginner/Novice 12-13 yo (boys)
1st Place – Laeloa Deniz – IKL Captain Cook Dojo
2nd Place – Caleb Tevaga – IKL Hilo Bay Dojo
3rd Place – Jorelle G. Cuevas – Ken Zen Karate
Kumite Beginner/Novice 12-14 yo (girls)
1st Place – Leyla Stevens – Hawaii Wado Karate Assoc.
2nd Place – Kaohu Deniz – IKL Captain Cook Dojo
3rd Place – Kaylee Corpuz-Matias – Hawaii Wado Karate Assoc.
Kumite Intermediate/Advanced 10-11 yo (boys)
1st Place – Ricky Lundburg – WKA Hakalau Dojo
2nd Place – Jeziel Lun – IKL Paauilo Dojo
3rd Place – Julius Ellison – Ken Zen Karate
Kumite Intermediate/Advanced 9-12 yo (girls)
1st Place – Lilia Lundburg – WKA Hakalau Dojo
2nd Place – Mikayla Yadira Cuevas – Ken Zen Karate
3rd Place – Liv Josol – Ken Zen Karate
Kumite Intermediate/Advanced 12 yo (boys)
1st Place – Phillip Josol – Ken Zen Karate
2nd Place – Zais Lun – IKL Paauilo Dojo
3rd Place – Theo Hayes – Ken Zen Karate
4th Place – Kento Cody Ushioda – Ken Zen Karate
Kumite Intermediate/Advanced 13-15 yo (boys)
1st Place – Michael Angelo Juan – IKL Keaau Dojo
2nd Place – Jackson Garey – IKL Paauilo Dojo
3rd Place – Tryston Asuncion – IKL Honokaa
Open Division:
Kumite Colored Belt Women
1st Place – Louise Ragasa – IKL Honokaa Dojo
2nd Place – Brooklyn Maltezo – IKL Honokaa Dojo
3rd Place – Janet Dayawon – IKL Hilo Armory Dojo
Kumite Brown Belt Men
1st Place – Riki Furuto – IKL Kailua-Kona Dojo
2nd Place – Shane Nguyen – Hawaii Kobudo League
3rd Place – Daniel Garey – IKL Paauilo Dojo
Kumite Brown & Black Women
1st Place – Jenna Shiroma – IKL Captain Cook Dojo
2nd Place – Janice Quebral – IKL Keaau Dojo
3rd Place – Elissa-Kaitlyn Gold – IKL Honokaa Dojo
Kumite Black Belt Senior Men Open
1st Place – Wilbur Mina – IKL Hilo Armory Dojo
2nd Place – Richard deBeer – Shotokan Karate Intʻl Federation
3rd Place – Zach Nye – Hawaii Elite Goju-Ryu
Kumite Black Belt Men
1st Place – Jace Shiroma – IKL Captain Cook Dojo
2nd Place – Hunter Mercado – IKL Kailua-Kona Dojo
3rd Place – Riki Furuto – IKL Kailua-Kona Dojo
Most Outstanding Competitor Perpetual Trophy:
Laeloa Deniz – IKL Captain Cook Dojo
Most Outstanding Dojo Perpetual Trophy:
1st Place – Ken Zen Karate – 86.5 points
2nd Place – IKL Captain Cook Dojo – 81.5 points
3rd Place – IKL Kailua-Kona Dojo – 66 points
The event was hosted by the IKL’s two dojos in Kona. The Captain Cook Dojo is under the direction of Sensei Jenna SHIROMA, and the Kailua-Kona Dojo is under Sensei Roland YAMAMOTO. The IKL, with dojos across the State of Hawaiʻi and various mainland states, is headed by its Founder and Chief Instructor, Shihan (Master) Walter K. NISHIOKA, who resides in Pearl City, Hawaiʻi.
Recent Comments