competed with great success at the ISKF/JKA Pan American Karate Championships in Kingston, Jamaica.

Returning laden with trinkets as a result, the group is now anxious for more competition.

The local team competed in men's and women's individual kata (forms) and kumite (sparring), men's and women's team kumite and women's team kata. Also, for the first time, a junior division was included where Bermuda were represented in boys' and girls' individual kata and kumite.

Three of these juniors advanced to the finals, with Nathan Aguiar placing second in the boys' kata and third in kumite, while Shanae Robinson was third in girls' kumite and Antoine Saunders third in kata.

Unfortunate were the women's team, which came within a tenth of a point of the final while competing against the best female outfits the championships could offer. They were only denied a place when they were beaten by Barbados.

A harsher fate afflicted the men as they were bundled out in the first round.

Team instructors Mark Tailford and Nigel Williams now have their sights set on the 1996 World Shoto Cup in Japan to be followed by the 1997 Pan American Championships in Mexico City.

RETURNING WARRIORS -- Members of the Japan Karate Association of Bermuda team that competed in Kingston, Jamaica show their wares. From left, Nigel Williams, Antoine Saunders, Shanae Robinson, Nathan Aguiar, Mark Tailford.