MARIGOT--A triumphant Shindokai team returned home to St. Martin on Thursday, after winning a total of six medals in the Coupe de France championship held in Nice, France, March 10-11.
The group was welcomed back by parents and Territorial Councillor for Sports, Alain Gros-Desormeaux, at Princess Juliana International Airport SXM.
The team of seven youngsters aged from nine to 15 years old won five medals between them; four bronze and one that was recognition of special effort. The sixth medal was gold for instructor Thierry Guedji who beat his opponent in the veteran category final with a flying kick to the head.
Guedji weighed in at 80 kilos compared to his opponent of 100 kilos. He won his two semi-finals before progressing to the final.
The younger athletes comprised Théo Leroy, Dimitri Martin, Ryan Jeffers, Eliott Guedji, Malcolm Hodge, Lohan Vialenc and Jean-Yves Dede.
Ryan Jeffers missed out on a medal even though he was on the way to winning his bout when he accidentally knocked off his opponent’s helmet and lost points; likewise Jean–Yves Dede missed out as he lacked endurance.
A total of 327 children contested the Coupe de France. St. Martin finished third overall for the first time entering this championship. Instructor Thierry Guedji said he was delighted with the performance from his young athletes.
“The last month of training before we went to France really made a big difference. Other trainers were wondering who we were and where we came from, that was how impressed they were.”
The Shindokai Club is based in Sand Ground at the Cultural Center. The club affiliated to the French Federation of Karate (FFK) has approximately 30-35 members and FFK certified instructors.
