The color of Belarusian shotokan is in Postavy
Adepts of Shotokan Karate-do always worthily represent Belarus at various international competitions. Last year, at the World Championship in Poland, our karatekas took second place in the team standings. This time, on March 28-29, the best athletes from 24 clubs of the Belarusian Shotokan Karate-do Federation – about two hundred participants from Minsk and all regions of our country, except for Gomel – gathered in our city for the XXIII Open Championship of the Republic of Belarus and the III Republican competitions "Belarus Sineokaya". This became possible thanks to the support of the district administration and the help of caring people.
These competitions became the main stage for forming our country's national team for the European Championship and Championship and the SKDUN European Kohai Cup, which will be held in Daugavpils (Latvia) on April 18-19, and the WSKU World Championship and Championship, which will take place on May 1-3 in Tbilisi (Georgia).
The country's championships for athletes aged 9-20 (absolute category) have been held annually by the Belarusian Shotokan Karate-do Federation since 1992. These competitions are among the most prestigious events of the year, so the federation's management strives to constantly expand their geography. In addition to Minsk, the championships of Belarus have been hosted by cities in all regions of our country: Berezino, Bobruisk, Borisov, Zelva, Mozyr, Pinsk, Postavy, and Smolevichi.
The current competitive program was extensive and diverse, allowing both novice and experienced athletes of all ages to compete separately. Winners were determined in each category and division – by age and skill level. In total, the championship was contested in 52 program divisions.
In Postavy, republican-level competitions are organized by the military-sports club "Azimut" for the third time. Previously, they were held here in 2006 and 2009 (jointly with the national championship).
On March 28, competitions were held in all KATA (technical exercises) divisions, and on March 29 – in all KUMITE (sparring) forms. Athletes competed on three tatami mats laid out in the spacious and comfortable game hall of the physical culture and recreation complex. For guests of the city, an introductory bus tour of the historical center and other attractions of Postavy was organized on Saturday.
The competitions were officiated by judges of international and national categories, including the chairman of the Belarusian Federation, Andrey Vilkin, and his wife Svetlana – the most outstanding athlete in this sport throughout the post-Soviet space. She is a multiple world and European champion, with over twenty titles.
The Vilkin family is unique in the world of karate. At international competitions, the mother and her two children – daughter Olga and son Alexey, who are also multiple world and European champions – compete together on the same team, vying for the highest places. On April 1, Svetlana Borisovna turned 55, but she is full of strength and energy and has no intention of resting on her laurels, striving for new victories.
The solemn opening of the competitions was attended by representatives of the district vertical and public associations. The head of the education, sports and tourism department of the district executive committee, A. E. Kashirin, congratulated the prize-winners and winners of the concluded sections on their well-deserved awards and wished them further success in sports. The deputy district military commissar G. I. Mikutsky and the general director of the state association "Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Postavy District" N. S. Romeyko delivered welcoming speeches.
The team of the club "Azimut" consisting of 28 athletes did not remain without medals. Egor Kulak became the winner in individual KATA among boys aged 10, and Polina Zaharich among girls aged 10. In addition, in other sections, Polina won two more 3rd places. Nikita Karpunin won 2nd place among boys aged 12-13 in individual KUMITE. And together with his brother Dmitry and Yuri Mychko from Voropayevo, he became a bronze medalist in team KUMITE among boys aged 12-15. Dmitry Karpunin became the silver medalist in individual KATA among boys over 13 years old, and Litvin Ilya (10 years old) in KUMITE in his age group. The same result among girls aged 7-9 in individual KATA was achieved by one of the promising athletes of "Azimut" - 8-year-old Elizaveta Yaroshevich.
Our athletes also became prize-winners: Alexandra Zyabchenko (9 years old) from Voropayevo - one 3rd and two 4th places; Alexander Makrush (7 years old) - one 3rd and one 4th place; Mikhail Mikutsky (9 years old) - one 3rd and one 4th place; Alexey Sidorovich (11 years old) - two 4th places; Sergey Dublyak (10 years old) - one 4th place; Nikita Golyak (7 years old) - one 4th place; Vladislav Rudkevich (13 years old) - one 4th place.
Congratulations and best wishes for further success in your studies and sports!
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Director of LLC "Mitaro" M. M. Trikozenko and his staff, the head of the district organizational structure of DOSAAF V. A. Lushchik, the General Director of the state association "Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism of Postavy District" N. S. Romeyko for their technical and material assistance in holding the competitions. Thanks to such patriots of their native region, the participants of the competitions and their mentors really enjoyed their stay in Postavy.
S. SEDYKH, Head of the Military-Sports Club "AZIMUT".
Yu. LOZIKEVICH, Correspondent
"Postavy TV".