A team of Belizean karatekas returned from an international Shotokan
competition in Canada triumphant today. They had medals, and coming from a competition
where the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Italy had huge delegations, that’s
no small feat. But maybe they deserve another medal because they were able to
raise nearly $60,000 to sponsor their trip. In times like these, that was probably
the most difficult part. But their determination to get sponsorship is probably
what also factored into the medalling. We greeted them at the airport today
to see what the formula for success was.
Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
Today the Belize Shotokan Karate Team returned home with five medals three of
the participants captured in the World Shoto Cup Tournament.
Rhiki Alegria, Won Gold and Bronze Medals
“The competition had 27 countries. I was competing in the eight to
nine category and it was very hard because there were so many participants.
They were about 600 participants in the whole thing.”
Martin Alegria, Proud Dad
“Proud to be out there having kids like this. I think this is the 
type of thing that Belize is supposed to be highlighting where kids especially
give out their all for Belize and let us be on the map internationally and make
Belize proud.”
Hanna Diskin, Won Silver & Bronze medals
“It wasn’t as hard as I thought and we thought it would be especially
in me and Rhiki’s category. It was much harder for the older children
and other adults so actually we did very well.”
Terry Wright, Proud team member and parent
“Until you actually get out there and you suddenly realize we are
as good as the other people, our team can, we have a chance and we’ve
been training as hard as them and we made it work so it was just wonderful,
it was great.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
I know you’re beaming with pride for the entire team but you must be beaming
especially proud for little Hanna.
Terry Wright,
“Yeah words can’t express. In all the planning that has gone
in, I’ve always been saying if we just make it to the finals, if we just
make it to the finals. So the day they made it to the finals, we were just over
the moon about that and then to actually place as medallists is beyond words.”
While Terry Wright did not bring home any medals like her daughter she did
qualify for the black belt.
Joe Nunez, Chief Instructor
“We have grown from being an underdog to being respected. Belize’s
name came up so often that the other countries began owning us. Everybody wanted 
to help, everybody wanted to assist because we have done pretty well.”
Luwani Nunez, Won Bronze Medal
“Very very proud. It is my first international tournament so I feel
very accomplished but I look forward to the next tournament.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
Judging from the interaction I am seeing here it looks like you guys, you really
get on together as one big family. Do you think that sort of relationship helped
you guys to be successful? What was it like participating together as a team?
Luwani Nunez,
“Well participating together was a team was very well coordinated
actually because being around people you know, you are not nervous as if you
go abroad by yourself with a completely different team you haven’t been
with your entire life. So you’ve been with them, you don’t feel
nervous at all.”
Maria Correa, Fourth Place
“I didn’t get a medal but I know that it is my first tournament.
I am expecting to go to the other one and I am sure I am going to like it a
lot.”
Joe Nunez,
“Although we have only five medals to bring back, it was a fight that
big name countries were involved, like Brazil, Italy, the United States and
Mexico and these countries are very strong in karate and for us to be able to
compete not only honourably but also to win says a lot about the standard of
karate that we have.”
The team worked hard for eighteen months to prepare for the tournament.
Rhiki Alegria,
“We did very strenuous workout, we took about two hours each day and
it all paid off.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
And how did it feel when they put the medals around your neck?
Rhiki Alegria,
“I can’t explain how it felt, it just felt so good.”
And today they toasted to their success. Jacqueline Godwin Reporting for 7NEWS.
8 Belizean competitors reached the round of four.
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