(ISKF release) MÉRIDA, YUCATÁN, MEXICO – October 25, 2026 — The next update from Mexico would tell the story.
And what a story Team Guyana has written.
ISKF-Guyana concluded an outstanding campaign at the 5th ISKF World Shoto Cup Karate Tournament in Mérida, Mexico, capturing an impressive 28 medals — 6 Gold, 7 Silver and 15 Bronze — across individual and team competition.
The performance capped months of preparation and three demanding days of international competition against Shotokan karate athletes from across the world.
Before the first medal was contested, the Guyanese delegation participated in two days of intensive international training seminars under Shihan Hiroyoshi Okazaki, Chairman and Chief Instructor of the International Shotokan Karate Federation.
Then came competition.
And Guyana responded.
Young Guns Set the Tone
Guyana’s Green and Purple Belt competitors opened the campaign on Friday, October 23 — and wasted little time putting the Golden Arrowhead on the podium.
One of the standout performances came from Agnes Siju, who delivered a sensational double-Gold performance, winning both Kata and Kumite in the Female 14–15 division.
The young trio of Katalina Carter, Arryann Sankar and Zenaide Marcus combined to capture Gold in Team Kata, while Carter added an individual Silver in Kata.
Marcus secured two additional Bronze medals in individual Kata and Kumite.
The medals continued through the teenage and adult divisions, with Jonathan Singh, Thalia Robinson and Geetanjali Ramnarace each securing Bronze medals in both Kata and Kumite.
By the end of Day One, Guyana had announced its presence.
Brown Belts Keep the Momentum Going
Saturday belonged to the Brown Belts, and the medals continued.
Myla Babb-Romney delivered Guyana’s Gold-medal performance for the day with victory in Female 12–13 Kumite.
Jadah Barnwell captured Silver in Kumite, while Shacquel Jerry produced a two-medal performance with Silver in Kata and Bronze in Kumite.
Miah Sampson also doubled up with Bronze medals in both Kata and Kumite, while Kempton Carter battled his way to Bronze in Kumite.
The stage was now set for the final day.
Black Belts Take Centre Stage
On Sunday, October 25, Guyana’s Black Belts stepped onto the floor against some of the tournament’s highest-level competitors.
Again, the Golden Arrowhead found the podium.
Malakai Babb-Romney captured Gold in Male 14–15 Kumite, while Amario Tyrrell secured Silver in Male 12–13 Kumite.
Trivena Tyrrell produced another two-medal performance, taking Silver in Kata and Bronze in Kumite, while Jasmin Dalgetty claimed Bronze in Kata and Silver in Kumite.
Kelly Carter added another Silver medal for Guyana in Female 15–17 Kumite.
Guyana also enjoyed significant success in Team Kata.
The combination of Malakai Babb-Romney, Emily Ibbott and Jasmin Dalgetty captured Gold in the Mixed Male/Female 12–14 Team Kata division.
Meanwhile, Jaden Dalgetty, Jonathan Yong and Kelly Carter secured Bronze in the Mixed Male/Female 15–17 Team Kata division.
When the final contest was completed, the numbers told their own story:
6 Gold.
7 Silver.
15 Bronze.
28 medals for Guyana.
More Than Medals
Guyana’s presence at the World Shoto Cup extended beyond competition.
Sensei Christopher Chaves, Alex Rodrigues and Storm Katchay were afforded the honour of serving as judges during the World Tournament, gaining valuable international officiating experience that can now be transferred into the continued development of tournament standards in Guyana.
For ISKF-Guyana, this represents another important step in developing not only internationally competitive athletes, but also coaches, instructors and officials capable of operating at the highest levels of traditional Shotokan karate.
At the centre of the campaign was Sensei Christopher Chaves, Country Director and Chief Instructor of ISKF-Guyana and Head of Delegation, whose leadership guided the team’s preparation and participation in Mexico.
ISKF-Guyana also recognizes the tremendous contribution of its instructors and coaches — Alex Rodrigues, Kristian Chaves, Kristalia Chaves, Shermon Best, Brandon Yong, Storm Katchay, Jessica Callender, Justin Sampson and Feonia Yong — whose countless hours of preparation helped ready the athletes for the world stage.
Special appreciation is also extended to Stephanie Kerry for administrative coordination, Tammy Ibbott for assistance with travel documentation, Nisha Jose for medical support, and Marlon George and Ieda Harrison for their work alongside Sensei Chaves in coordinating the delegation’s logistics, accommodation and tournament requirements.
ISKF-Guyana further acknowledges the invaluable support of the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Sports Commission, whose financial assistance contributed to Team Guyana’s participation in Mexico.
And behind every competitor stood another important part of Team Guyana — the parents, guardians and supporters who travelled thousands of miles to stand behind the athletes throughout the tournament.
Guyana Stood Up
When the 92-member delegation left Guyana, the question was simple:
How would our karatekas respond when preparation met pressure on the world stage?
Mérida provided the answer.
Twenty-eight times, the Guyana flag made its way onto the medal podium.
The medals will return home.
But perhaps more importantly, so will the experience, confidence and knowledge gained from competing, coaching and officiating among some of the world’s best.
For ISKF-Guyana, the 5th World Shoto Cup is now part of its history.
For the next generation watching at home, it may only be the beginning.
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