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An inaugural martial arts tournament saw over 32 children take part.

The 2009 Children, Cadet and Junior Budo Cup Kumite Championships were held on Saturday, December 12. The all kumite (sparring) tournament was a first for martial arts production company, Jiketsu Martial Productions, and president Reuben Bean hailed the tournament a huge success.

A crowd of over 100 cheered on the 32 participants ranging in age from 5-16 in six different categories. The children's male 5-6 years category saw Kairo Morton battle for first place with Kendin Basden taking second and J'Kai Berkeley taking third. In the male 7-8 years group, Ryondé Swan emerged victorious in the most hotly contested group by narrowly beating Jadein Talbot 8-7 in the finals.In the battle for third place, Zebedee Wakely got past William Attridge 8-3 to earn the bronze medal.

In the male 9-10 year category, Zaijae Woodley-Tear faced three tough fights to emerge the gold medal winner with Andrew McDowall Jr taking silver and Taj Dawson-DeRosa taking bronze. In the male 11-13 years division, Nigel Alexander Williams cleanly beat Daniel Foggo in the finals 7-2, with Nakeno Creighton taking third.

In the female open division, Symira Lowe-Darrell conquered all to take the gold with Nyumi Woodley-Tear taking second and Sacred Basden securing third. In the junior male 14-16 years category Kiwon Williams earned the gold with his opponent Corey Outerbridge taking silver.

"Competing in a tournament such as this gives the participants so much more than a medal at the end of the day," said Bean. "By competing they learn teamwork, sportsmanship, humility, patience and gain significant self-confidence by facing their fears inside and out of the ring."

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