JEDDAH: SSKI (Sphinx Shotokan Karate-do International) reigned supreme in the martial arts showdown of the 6th FIMAA Karate Tournament, dominating the Senior Division with five titles, one second place, and two third-place finishes.
Dubbed Arena of Honor the event was conducted by the Filipino International Martial Arts Association of Jeddah at the Badr International School.
Dan Sagmit Jr. led the SSKI charge with his flawless rendition of “Heian Shodan” that catapulted him champion in the Green Belt Kata category.
Al Debalucos likewise captured the championship plaque in the brown belt Kata category with his “Bassai Dai” execution; then, Boy Cielo took the 2nd Runner-up plaque on account of his well-applauded performance of “Gojushiho Sho” and “Nijushiho” in the elimination and final phases of the black belt Kata competition.
Andy Balane, grabbed the lightweight championship plaque in the green belt category, followed by Danny Iglesia in the Kata competition, Kumite (sparring) that saw him celebrate with the championship plaque in the green belt middleweight category after overpowering Noel Torlao, who was runner-up.
Al Debalucos, who earlier bagged the champion’s trophy in Brown Belt Kata and a usual perennial winner in Kumite events, lost his bearing and this time managed only to save 3rd place honors in the brown belt lightweight category under the barrage of overwhelming punches and roundhouse kicks of the more resilient Boy Cielo, who was crowned black belt champion in the combined middle/heavyweight category.
Meanwhile in the Junior Division, Bryan Sagmit added another 3rd place honor for his effort in the Kata - greenbelt category bringing SSKI’s medals to 5-1-3 tally.
SSKI ran the tournament well with its experienced instructors performing the roles of referees, judges and arbitrators, namely: Jun Loyola, Sonny Alvarez, Ben Micu Jr., Samuel Nacario, Jr. and Sonny Dalloran, along with other club instructors. SSKI is one of the founding club-members of FIMAA. Nestor Suliva is its current president.
SSKI now has branches in the Middle East and Canada. It is a full-fledged member of an umbrella club called Sphinx International, Philippine chapter, which has overseas branch chapters here in Jeddah located in Xenel Bldg., Al Oun Industrial Area, Bahra, King Faisal Naval Base, among others, all under the leadership of Romeo Rivero Sensei, a 3rd dan black belt.
