BERMUDA’S premier martial arts event, the Bermuda Open Karate Championships, celebrated its 25th edition last weekend at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess with several fully competitive divisions despite a small number of entries. These included forms for advanced boys 10-15 won by Kent Bean; underbelt women with Andrea McKey in first place; and black belt men over 40 where Richard Harkness was the gold medalist.The two black belt entrants in the under 40 category, Reuben Bean and Garon Wilkinson, placed first and second in empty hand forms and reversed the result in weapons, both going on to take a grand championship spot above over 40 winners Richard Harkness and Raymond Pakwood respectively.

Guests of the tournament were John Chung and Yvette Vargas of the World Cup Martial Arts Organisation.

Next on Bermuda Karate Institute’s calendar is the adults only Lepercq Memorial on June 17 which will adopt an open competitive format.

A $1,000 prize is on offer and interested black belts are invited to contact BKI for further information.

Following the 25th Bermuda Open Karate Championships, the Bermuda Karate Organisation has ranked as Bermuda’s top martial artists based on their performance in that event and in Sensei Roots’s Shiai in March.

The rankings are:

Over 40: Andre Joseph, Richard Harkness, John O’Doherty, Wayne Augustus, Dana Philpott.

Ssniors (18-40) female: Andrea McKey, Tina Caton, Kira Hines, Letia Outerbridge, Nicole Neal.

Male: Reuben Bean and Garon Wilkinson (tied), Rayond Packwood, Andrew Hudson, Jonathan Spiers.

Kuniors (5-17) female: Rachel Antonition, (tied for second) Caitlin O’Doherty and Natasha Mercey, Alexis Trott, Angele Basden.

Male: Malachi Darrell, Jomeko Mallory, Ru-Jzarr Simmons, (tied for fourth) Kent Bean, Scott Kennedy, Kaelin Cox, Jeron Gunness, Cole Durham, and Che Durham.