Date: Saturday September 7, 2019
Location: Laval, Quebec, Canada
Organizer: Sutogure Dojo in Association with the Canadian Cancer Society
The first ever TEST YOUR MIGHT tournament was held in Laval, just outside Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on Saturday September 7th, 2019. Canadian Contact of the WKO, David Ricci Senseï created and developed the concept of a fundraising challenge in the context of a traditional Tameshiwari Karate board-breaking championship.
With over 70 participants from various Dojos across the province of Quebec, and 1 Dojo from the USA, the event raised over $3,500 for pediatric cancer research. Organized in association with the Canadian Cancer Society, and a cause close to Senseï David’s heart, he created this event with the hopes of raising awareness for childhood cancers, while sharing his passion for Kyokushin Tameshiwari with his students and peers. The event was honoured by the presence of Shihan Camille Ohan (6th dan) and Shihan André Gilbert (8th dan) whom observed and supported the tournament.
The event began at 9:00 am with a demonstration by David Ricci Senseï and Alexandre Haché Senseï, as well as an outline of the techniques to be used (Seiken, Sokuto, Shuto, Hiji), the rules and regulations. The competition began following a presentation of the dojos, judges and honoured Shihans, as well as a heartfelt acknowledgement from Ms. Isabelle Milliard of the Canadian Cancer Society. The tournament itself lasted for 4 hours, featuring competitors in 17 different categories based on age, weight and experience, from new beginners to experienced students of Karate.
Concluding the event, was the “Masters” category, featuring Karatekas with greater experience from participating dojos. The competitors were ranked based on the number of boards successfully broken. The number of boards to be broken were chosen by the competitors themselves, further raising the stakes of the competition. Hence, the name “TEST YOUR MIGHT”.
The performance of all competitors was admired by family, friends and spectators who came to show their support for the battle against cancer through Karate.
As advancements in cancer research require a great deal of funding, Senseï David believes that it is our duty to get involved and help in whichever way we can.
In future years, he hopes to expand to include participants from all over the world, and battle cancer together on an international scale.
“We have all been affected by cancer in one way or another. Near or far, we are no strangers to the pain and suffering experienced by the victims and families of this devastating disease. It is imperative that we find a cure.”
Sutogure means ‘’Never give up’’, a motto that not only inspires through the Karate spirit, but the courage and strength it takes to persevere and succeed in life.
Osu!
