Cape Coral karate school receives award
Four members of Cape Coral Isshinryu Karate Academy took home medals from the AAU Karate National Championships last weekend in Fort Lauderdale.
The dojo shared another honor when it received an award for being one of the top 20 schools in the country. They received that award based on the number of competitors and the number of medals won throughout the year.
There were 14 members of the Cape Coral Isshinryu Academy participating at the Karate Nationals.
“That was a surprise,” said Sensei Jim Kelly. “That’s a nice award for them.”
Kelly, a sixth-degree black belt, prepared the younger and less experienced students for the National Championships, but also competed and won four bronze medals. Three came in weapons and one was for kata (form).
His daughter, Breanarose Kelly, 11, captured two silver medals in kata and koputo (weapons), and one bronze for fighting.
There were 60 different schools represented, from as far as Hawaii. Breanarose, a junior black belt, finished runner-up twice to a two-time national champion.
Ron Desjarlais and daughter, Estefanie Desjarlais, each claimed two medals. Ron took bronze in fighting and kata, while Estefanie took bronze in kata and weapons.