The Trinidad and Tobago Karate Union (TTKU) successfully hosted an Athletes Training Camp on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th December, 2025, at the Fitness Centre, Anderson Terrace, Maraval. The event attracted over 20 athletes from various karate schools and organizations across the country and the Trinidad and Tobago Karate Association (TKA) was out in full force. With participants from Tora, Sochin, Kuro Obi and the Karate-Do Centre, TKA made up over 70% of the camp attendees.
The camp provided a platform for some of the more experienced members of the national team to relay the latest training and development techniques which they, themselves, received from international training camps over the past 12 months. Among the facilitators were Dominic Wilkes (Tora), Keiden Joseph (Kuro Obi) and Sameer Ali (the Karate-Do Center). The other facilitators were Shiva Sookdeo, Kerron David, Leianna Valentine and Kadieyah Austin. The camp was open to athletes of all ages and skill levels. The content was centered on basics for each discipline.
The kata sessions were led by Senpai’s Dominic, Kerron and Kadieyah and focused on foot contact, posture, relaxation and body mechanics for front stances transitions, punches and front kicks. The content was adapted from a kata training camp hosted in Panama by Centro Caribe Sports and led by Antonio Diaz of Venezuela. Sensei Diaz holds the Guiness Record for the most number of medals won at World Karate Federation (WKF) World Championships as well as several medals at the Pan American Games and Central America and Caribbean Games.
The kumite sessions were led by Sensei Shiva and Senpai’s Keiden, Sameer and Leianna. These sessions focused on form and body mechanics for jabs, reverse punches and kicks as well as footwork and reaction drills. The content was based on several training camps attended by the group under a number of world-class athletes and coaches including Douglas Brose (Brazil), Dionicio Gustavo (Dominican Republic), Raul Cuervo Mora (Spain) and Driss El Mannani Bahi (Morroco). There were several interactive sessions between the facilitators, participants and coaches with many participants praising the engagement and attention to detail.
The camp was a huge success and received positive reviews from the participants, parents and coaches who were in attendance. Interim President of the TTKU and Chief Instructor of the TKA, Dr Nicole Lambie praised the efforts of the volunteers, facilitators and attendees and expressed her wish that the information would be shared with each dojo in order to build the national karate fraternity. This was the first time in 8 years that such an event has been held by the TTKU. Many participants and spectators called for more frequent editions of this event. According to the recently adopted TTKU Strategic Plan 2026-2032, there are plans to have one such training camp in each quarter, starting in 2026.
With the huge success of this event, as well as the positive coverage, it is expected that future editions will be able to garner more support and participation. This will aid the TTKU in its Vision: “To shape the future of sport karate in Trinidad and Tobago by blending tradition with innovation, creating champions in sport and life.”
