State Senator Jack M. Martins and the OKKK Karate School in Elmont hosted a Karate Tournament exposition at the Dutch Broadway School this past weekend. Well over 1,000 competitors, fans and families came through the tournament to watch competitors demonstrate kata, kobudo and kumite in the martial arts. Sensei Serge Clark and Senator Martins teamed together to put on the day which hosted over 270 competitors in medal winning action.
The tournament began at 9am and ran through 4:30 pm in the Dutch Broadway School gymnasium. Children ages 5 through adult competed. “This was an exciting tournament that allowed our young people to show us their skills in one of the oldest and most respected martial arts styles in the world,” said Senator Jack Martins who was a former student of Tai Kwon Do.
Students from Covert Avenue, Dutch Broadway, Howell Road, Gotham Avenue, Alden Terrace, Clara Carlson, Polk Street, Stewart Manor, Sewanhaka, Elmont Memorial, New Hyde Park-Garden City Park, Great Neck, Port Washington, Floral Park and South Floral Park competed in the different divisions.
During the opening ceremony, the OKKK Karate School honored Senator Martins, Elmont School District Liaison Norma DeBartolo, Supt. Al Harper and Karate instructors from around the greater community for their work with young people and being role models. Sensei Clark thanked all honorees, schools and community members for their steadfast support of the Martial Arts and the annual tournament.
“Today’s tournament showcases some of the most talented martial arts students we have in the 7th Senate district,” said Senator Jack Martins adding, “when Sensei Clark talked to me about putting the tournament together, I knew this would be a huge hit- and it was.”
The Dutch Broadway gymnasium was packed from morning to late afternoon as students competed in different divisions. Students from Dutch Broadway, Clara Carlson and Gotham Avenue schools swept team kata awards and kumite honors. In the kobudo divisions, Elmont, South Floral Park and Floral Park students captured top honors in the 5 year old to 10 year old age brackets.
“This tournament is the biggest exposition in the western end of Nassau County,” said Sensei Clark who is the Chief Instructor of the OKKK Karate School located in Elmont. “It was a great honor to have this tournament right here in Elmont and to have the ability to showcase the talent, focus and commitment our young people have in the community. Senator Martins and I are already talking about next year’s tournament!”
