Northbrook Karate Athletes Compete In USA National Championships and Team Trials

Submitted by Jaclyn Dipasquale:

The weekend of July 10-13, the Illinois Shotokan Karate Clubs sent 133 talented athletes to compete and represent their club and hometown at the 2014 USA National Championships & Team Trials. The annual tournament, which is described as the most prestigious karate event in the United States, was hosted in the Peppermill Resort Spa Hotel in Reno, Nevada. John DiPasquale, Chief Karate Instructor at ISKC and President of USA Karate, led the Chicagoland karate students, along with six coaches. ISKC also had 11 members serve as referees throughout the four-day event.

In preparation for the event, the Illinois Shotokan athletes underwent a vigorous training regimen to prepare themselves for the prestigious event. The stakes were high for these athletes as a first place finish meant earning the title of National Champion, as well as an opportunity to qualify to compete in an international tournament.

The competitors had the option to compete in six different events, which included: Individual Kata (form), Individual Kumite (fighting), Elite Kata, Elite Kumite, Team Kumite and Team Kata.

Competitors who placed first or second in the Junior Elite Team Trial divisions became eligible to compete at the Pan American Karate Federation Junior and Cadet Championships on August 28-30 in Lima, Peru. Athletes who won their Senior Elite Team Trial Division scored an invitation to the World Senior Championships in Bremen, Germany in November.

National Competitors from the Northbrook area include:

· Wilbur Hendricks, 13 yr., Northbrook — Bronze (Kumite)

· Max Kogen, 13 yr., Northbrook — Silver (Kumite)*, Bronze (Team Kumite)

· Sam Kogen, 11 yr., Northbrook — Competed but did not place

· Lena Pekaj, 23 yr., Northbrook — Silver (Kata), Bronze (Kata)

*Qualified for spot on Team USA and will compete at the Pan American Karate Federation Junior and Cadet Championships in Lima, Peru.

** Qualified for spot on Team USA and will compete at the World Senior Championships in Bremen, Germany.

*** Alternate for Team USA, in the event of an injury or other circumstances in which original team member cannot compete at the event, the alternate will serve in his/her place.