The event started with a full day of training, led by the top four KSI Shihans, and included the promotions of several sixth Dan Black Belts to Seventh Dan. Opening ceremonies the following day ushered in three full days of competition. United States team members as well as family and friends who traveled with the team created an unimaginable excitement and spirit at the stadium which helped everyone compete at their very best. The long days of competition moved along at a fast clip as the USA team came out on top in one event after another.
The United States team had its best showing ever: the USA took Gold in many events, including Womens’ Individual and Team Kumite, Girls’ Indivual Kumite, and Boys’ Individual Kata. Silver and Bronze medals were also earned by many on the USA team as well, including Womens’ Team Kumite, Womens’ Individual Kata and Kumite, Mens’ Veteran Kata and Kumite, Boys’ Kata and Girls’ Kata and Kumite. Several of the matches came down to Americans vying against each other for first and second place, including Womens’ Team Kumite, Womens’ Individual Kumite, and Girls’ Individual Kumite.
The event concluded with a huge party and celebration, held at Helsinki’s state-of-the-art Science Museum. This beautiful venue was all the more enchanting and fun in a land where the sun barely sets near the summer solstice. At midnight the party was in full swing as the sun still hung low in the sky, dipping down only briefly for a short twilight before rising again. As the party wound down in the early hours of the morning, the sun was already shining brightly as the revelers headed back to the hotel.
Most of the team spent their last day before returning home exploring Helsinki: Finland proved to be a beautiful country and fabulous hosts for an exciting, well-run and successful tournament. Get ready for Switzerland in 2008! Congratulations to all participants from our school: Sensei Gavin Armstrong (Team Coach), Cathy Blake, Justin DeSalvo Sharon Gute, Lior Haramaty, Susan Klausner, Paul Manchess (Referee), and Dan Sherman. Congratulations to Susan for earning the Silver Medal in Team Kumite!
