Akeem Lawrence is Seido Karate grand champion
Martial arts lovers were treated to a wonderful day of thrills and spills as the 42th Annual Seido Karate Tournament rocked the auditorium of the Donald Sangster Hall at University of Technology, Jamaica on Saturday.
Competitors from all the major martial schools were in attendance — karate, taekwondo, kickboxing. Competitors from as young as age three put on displays of skill, timing and power that belied their tender ages. The tournament attracted many participants and the crowd was thoroughly entertained. Of special interest was the high schools division that always generates intense high school rivalry. This was won by the spirited Calabar High team who defeated St George’s College in the final.
But the spotlight was on the grand championship bouts that more than lived up to their expectations.
In the finals it was a three-way fight-off between many- time champion Paul Williams of New York Seido, who was this year’s over-40 champion; Akeem Lawrence of Taekwondo, who was the defending grand champion; and heavyweight champion Richard Touzalin of Seido.
Of special note, Lawrence opted to fight through the rounds instead of just sitting and waiting to defend his title. He successfully did so defeating everyone in his path emerging lightweight champion also.
Heavyweight champion Richard Touzalin battled over- 40 champion Paul Williams for a chance to fight Lawrence for the grand championship. Williams won, setting up a mouth-watering battle for the grand championship.
It was an epic battle for the championship between Lawrence and Williams as both fighters traded blows at lightning speed. But after two exciting rounds, the younger Lawrence was too fast for the veteran Williams.
Chief Instructor of Seido Karate SeiShihan Tony Robinson said that Grand Championship fight between Lawrence and Williams was a wonderful display of clean fighting between two fighters with different techniques — the heavier, stronger Williams and the lighter, faster Lawrence.
“It was a joy to watch,” Robinson said.
The Seido Annual Karate Tournament, sponsored by the Sports Development Foundation and Everlast, is a respected fixture on the martial arts calendar and is known for its strong emphasis on discipline.
