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They were invited guests of their Mexican counterparts and cleaned up with dozens of medals between the three associations. We spoke to some of the top finishers from Martial Arts Academy:..

Monica Bodden Reporting
A small contingent of Karate Athletes - from the Martial Arts Academy in Belize City - travelled to Chetumal over the weekend to partake in a Martial Arts competition.

Hundreds of athletes from across Mexico were present -representing Taekwando and Karate in their respective category.

Martial Arts Academy took 4 athletes and brought back 4 gold medals.

Leon Guild - Chief Instructor, Martial Arts Academy
"It was basically a Taekwando event but there were karate aspects involve, so we were there representing and it was a national team event, so we were just invited as the martial arts academy and we went over there. We met up with two other prominent martial arts school from Belize. We were there in a club capacity and we competing in karate and Taekwando so it was a martial arts thing and a full karate tournament. We took 4 athletes from the martial arts academy and we brought back 4 gold medals. These guys are use to a more difficult caliber of competition because they are our Under 17 national selection for our country, so this tournament was perhaps like a little experience for them to remain in shape for upcoming events in 2012."

17 year old Sean Grant, 20 year old Argazavad Sankey and 17 year old Henquief Williams all medalled gold in their respective categories.

For these young men, the weekend tournament was quite an accomplishment.

Sean Grant - Karate Athlete
"The tournament was OK, good from past tournaments I attended. The experience; the capacity was high. I enjoyed my fight. I am a person who enjoys fighting, so every time I go to a tournament I look out for a fight."

Monica Bodden
"Was there a part that was challenging for you?"

Sean Grant - Karate Athlete
"Yes, my last fight for the first place medal. That was a tough fight, me and the guy was about to kick at the same time, so I injured my toe, but it was OK."

Monica Bodden
"So you came first place in what category?"

Sean Grant - Karate Athlete
"It was intermediate, which was my category. I rank first."

Argazavad Sankey - Karate Athlete
"As usual you are always nervous when you step in there the first time but once you start to get into it - it becomes easier, you feel it more and you just take it away from there."

Monica Bodden
"Was there any part that was kind of challenging for you?"

Argazavad Sankey - Karate Athlete
"Honestly only the nervous part. That was it. Everything was easy after that. It was a nice victory but the fighter never knew how to hold back and he sustains some injuries in the tournament. But it was OK."

Monica Bodden
"You won what?"

Argazavad Sankey - Karate Athlete
"A gold medal for the adults' category."

Henquief Williams - Karate Athlete
"That tournament was by far the best tournament this year in my opinion. I really enjoyed it. Chetumal is a very beautiful place, the place was very spacious this time, I must commend the referee and officials for not being bias as they were in the past. all in all it was a most enjoyable trip. The most difficult part of that tournament for me would be when I had to fight against the black belt guy from Taekwando. At first I thought it was unfair, why should I fight against a black belt even though he is not from my karate style but overcame my fear because my sensei force me too and I ended up in first place. I was the only one to get three first place medals. I got one for kata and two for fighting, which should not have happen because they place in me an extra category which I did not sign up for but I came in first place strangely and I am happy for that too."

Christian Codd of Grace Primary did not medal in his category - but the young man has caught the attention of our National Karate Scout Coach Frank Mckenzie and is now a prospect for the Junior National Team.

Leon Guild - Chief Instructor, Martial Arts Academy
"I am very proud of these guys because they were representing in more than one capacity, they weren't just there as athletes and they had opportunity to take the bench as judges and use the flags. They were there to lend their experience to the guys in Chetumal who seem a little bit behind us nationally when it comes to officiating, so I am very proud that these guys were there as athletes but they were able to play a dual role as judges as well."

There were 3 martial arts schools from Belize City who Attended the tournament.

Also participating were the House of Shotokan and an Orange Walk Association.