2018 Tournament Results

USA Team Trials

3 students traveled to Colorado Spring to participate at the USA Team Trails at the Olympic Training Center. Izumi Shimanouchi entered kata and Isaac Friend competed in -60 kg kumite. They both captured a bronze medal. Brian Hilliard gathered a silver medal in the -67kg kumite and earned a spot to compete at the Sr. Pan American championships in Chile. There were a few mistakes but nothing that can not be corrected. With more experience and practice WE will find the answer together. Proud of you 3!! Let's continue to be better than we were yesterday. It is always a pleasure to travel to the Olympic Center and see that IKF made such a huge impact in the world of karate.

WEST COAST KARATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

First tournament of 2018 in the books. The team traveled to Yuba City to compete at the West Coast Karate Championships on February 11, 2018. When the dust cleared and everyone was done competing IKF gathered 14 gold, 10 silver & 6 bronze. The team was lead by tiny but mighty Reiko Ujimori taking 3 gold medals in kata, weapons and kumite. Brandon Ujimori and Izel Castillo did a awesome job coaching all the students. Without your guidance and help they would not have done so well. Thank you parents for your cheering and support. Great start but we need to make adjustments and correct a few areas so that we can become better the next event. The journey continues. So proud of you ALL! IKF BOOM

Irvine Karate Classic

Brandon Ujimori and Kevin Deloso travelled to Southern California to compete at the Irvine Karate Classic on February 18, 2017. Brandon walked away with 2 golds medals and a sponsorship from Punok! Kevin came up short taking a silver in kumite. This trip with the 2 stooges was classic. Lets continue to improve on this journey. Great Job boys!!!!!

41st International Goodwill Karate Championships

Brian Hilliard competes at Sensei Demura's International Goodwill Karate Championships in Orange County, Los Angeles. He takes home the gold in Men;s Kumite. Great Job. Keep working hard and be better than you were yesterday.

Spring Classic

AAU Spring Classic was another HUGE success. Tournament was held at Jose Rizal Community Center on March 3, 2018. We did it together. Got into the gym at 9:00am to set up 2 rings, snack bar, registration and the door opened at 9:30. UNBELIEVABLE! Thank you parents who helped with the various areas of the tournament. You guys are the "BEST". The tournament was lead by Kevin Deloso who captured 4 gold medals and Izel Castillo came away with 3 gold. The IKF students took home 38 Gold, 25 Silver & 33 Bronze. A total of 93 medals. You guys & gals ROCK! So proud of you ALL! Keep up the great work. Next IKF tournament is June 9, 2018. That's the BIG ONE. Continue to be better than you were yesterday.

YOSHIDA CUP

4 students traveled to Portland, Oregon to compete at the 32nd Yoshida Cup on March 17-18, 2018. The tournament was filled with excitement, nerves, learning experiences and life learning skills. We had the opportunity to meet former Japan's WKF World Champions. Let's not forget lots of Laughs!!!!! I got a chance to practice my ironing skills. We had a chance to have dinner with students from IKF Kitsap. Izel and Brandon captured gold in kata against a fierce competition along with $300 each in scholarship funds. Ana and Catalina did awesome competing against black belts. The team came home with 2 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze and some famous Yoshida Teriyaki Sauce & $600 bucks. So proud of everyone. The journey continues with IKF. Keep pushing your limits.

AMAS KARATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

A small group of IKF athletes traveled over the San Francisco Bay bridge to compete at the AMAS Karate Championships on March 25, 2018. The team walked away with 2 gold, 6 silver and 3 bronze medals. A total of 11 medals. Edmond Zhou took gold in kata and Sean Whitfield captured a gold medal over Koji Fidel in kumite. My 2 fierce little girls Emma and Alexis took home 2 silver medals each. The team was coached by Brandon Ujimori who did a great job.

Jr. International, Ozawa Cup & US Open

IKF takes Las Vegas by storm. 3 tournaments in 3 days Junior International Cup, Ozawa Cup and US Open. I am so proud of all the students for their accomplishments. Their hard work and commitment paid off. They were AMAZING! A big thank you to Sensei Branden Clary coming from Los Angeles and Sensei Chelcie for spending her Spring Break and helping coach all the students. I couldn't have done it without both of you. It was great to see IKF Hawaii there too. Thank you Sensei George for your help and encouragement this past weekend. The IKF students hit the jackpot taking home 16 gold, 11 silver & 17 bronze. Total 44 medals. Fantastic. Edmond Zhou was the big winner claiming 3 gold medal and 1 bronze. The highlight of the tournament I must say was Kevin Deloso winning a gold medal in kumite. His battle in the ring, but more importantly his struggle outside the ring demonstrates the true character of a CHAMPION. Thank you parents for your ongoing support and dedication. I am truly blessed to have wonderful parents and outstanding students. The journey continues.

USANKF QUALIFIER

IKF Boom! 27 Gold, 14 Silver and 10 Bronze. IKF Team was led by Edmond Zhou and Javon Ott taking 3 gold medals each. Izel Castillo and Kevin Deloso walked away with 2 gold and 1 silver. Awesome job everyone. So proud of you ALL. Shout out to our coaches Brandon, Izel, Kevin and Grant working hard getting all the students ready and giving them great advice. Our referee crew Hilliard, Shimanouchi & Friend were da bomb today Thank you again parents who helped with the tables. You women are the BEST!

The road to nationals continues and the journey together is priceless. Back to the dojo on Monday and let's work to be better than we were today.

Okaigan Karate Championships

12 students traveled to San Jose to compete at the Okaigan Karate Championships on May 6,2018. Javon Ott captured ALL gold! The team overall earned 10 gold, 5 silver and 6 bronze, Awesome Job. A big thank you to Kevin Deloso who helped coach the students. Sensei Brian and Isaac handled all the officiating.

ISF Gymnasiade High School Games

The ISF High School Games were held in Marakesh, Morocco. 7 athletes from the United States participated. 59 different countries and 4,000 athletes from all different sports gathered. The opening ceremonies was fantastic to witness. Izel Castillo was chosen as a female athlete to march holding the USA Flag. It was incredible. The competition started May 4-5. Words cant express how proud I am of Izel and Brandon who were the only athletes to stand on the podium. They both represented USA and IKF proudly. Izel captured a bronze in kata. Brandon was the only athlete in the tournament to earn 2 medals. Bronze in kata and a silver in kumite. The USA/AAU team not only did they gain valuable experience from competition but learned about the life style and culture of Morocco. The view and sites were beautiful and breath taking. We had FUN! ATV was a blast, Camel ride was interesting and the hike was amazing. The journey continues with IKF!