This past weekend fabulous Las Vegas hosted two greatest karate events of the year in the United States – US Open and Junior International Cup 2014. This year’s tournaments took place at Paris Hotel and Casino and attracted over 2 000 competitors from 42 countries. It was organized by USA Karate and sanctioned by World Karate Federation. Kumite (sparrings) and Kata (stand up solo demonstrations of karate techniques) were performed simultaneously on 12 rings.
Okinawa Team by KarateBros from Denver, Colorado has been represented by 13 competitors and 5 coaches.
The youngest participant of the Team Okinawa was a 6 years old girl from our team. Outstanding performance of our athletes delivered the following results.
TOTAL MEDAL COUNT:
- Gold 11
- Silver 6
- Bronze 12
ATHLETES AND RESULTS:
- Zaslavsky Daniel – Gold, Silver, Bronze
- Dykalenko Masha – 3x Gold, Bronze
- Befus Ron – Gold
- Torres Debbie – 2x Gold, Silver
- Gladkih Maria – Gold, Silver, Bronze
- Khodjaev Milla – Gold, Silver, 2x Bronze
- Padalka Vitaly – Silver
- Gissa Martin – 3x Bronze
- Dykalenko Pasha – Silver, Bronze
- Purevsaikhan Ochi – 2x Gold, 2x Bronze
- Skhisov Daniel – Bronze
- Vu Kieu
- Marler-Vu John
This year besides 13 competitors the Team Okinawa has been represented by 5 coaches, who’s hard work and passion helped our athletes to deliver such outstanding results.
COACHES:
- Alex Padalka
- Vitaly Padalka
- Chris Torres
- Denis Gladkih
- Ron Befus
Kids have been training really hard for this tournament, 4 to 5 days a week. The dedication of these young athletes is not less impressive then any professional athlete who you would follow on TV every day.
The next big event that our karate kids are getting ready for is the National Qualifier – Rocky Mountain Championship that will take place in Louisville, CO on May 4th, 2014.
Okinawa Dojo life is full of all kinds of exciting moments and events. At the end of the spring the school will have a belt testing, where all students get a chance to demonstrate an improvement of their level and earn their new deserved belts.
All kids are looking forward to one of the most exciting events of the year – Summer Karate Camp “GASHUKU by KarateBros” which will be held in our beautiful Cherry Creek State Park by the lake. Kids with their parents spend a wonderful time camping in the tents, enjoying karate training, boating, tubing, marshmallows on the fire and the great time with friends and family. Team spirit, laughter and great memories!
Okinawa Team coaches Karate Brothers Alexandr and Vitaly Padalka are from Russia originally, have come to United States about 10 years ago.
They had their first Dojo in Aspen, Colorado. In the beginning of 2011 brothers relocated to Denver and continued to pursue their dream – teaching karate to local community.”
-
- Karate Brothers with Tom Scott
