KARATEKAS DISPLAY SKILLS IN JAPAN

PRESS RELEASE – Eight Karate practitioners from Guam and three from Saipan competed in the 2024 Karate Dream Festival held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium July 20^th and 21^st. The 2024 Karate Dream Festival consisted of 3,758 participants from 23 countries which made it one of the largest martial arts events ever held in Japan. 

The first day of competition consisted of the All Japan Kata Championship where Mei Balagtas, Yuta  Camacho and Rayver Bondoc represented Guam. Kata is also known as “forms” and although the Guam  team did not get any victories, the representatives performed at a very high level. 

Also held on the first day was the Karate Dream Festival Rookie Kumite division. Kumite is also known as  sparring. Representing Guam were Yuta Camacho in the Junior High Boys Lightweight Division, Jaiden Candaso in the High School Boys Heavyweight Division, Joseph Biolchino in the Elementary 4 Boys  Heavyweight Division, Ella and Emma Lansang in the Elementary 5 Girls Lightweight Division and Aranyam Chattaraj in the Elementary 6 Boys Heavyweight Division. Representing the Northern Mariana Islands were Jerry Diaz in the Men’s 40-44 Year Old Heavyweight Division, Spencer Floyd in the 45-49 Year Old Heavyweight Division and Danny Banez in the 65+ Year Old Heavyweight Division. 

Yuta Camacho placed 3^rd in his division and Jerry Diaz placed 2^nd in his division. This is the first time that  participants from Guam and Saipan placed at the prestigious event. Both were award trophies for their  accomplishments. 

The second day consisted of the All Japan Karate Championship which consisted of more experienced and higher ranking competitors. Rayver Bondoc represented Guam in the Elementary 6 Boys  Middleweight Division and Mei Balagtas represented Guam in the Women’s College Lightweight Division. Both competitors fought well but were unable to secure a victory. 

The experience for all of the competitors from Guam and the NMI was amazing and they are looking  forward to using this experience to improve and they look forward to competing again on the international stage in the near future.