The Bermuda Youth National Karate Team has completed a landmark weekend at the Miami Open International Karate Championships, walking away with a prestigious team trophy and multiple individual medals from Florida Memorial University.
In a definitive statement of the island’s growing martial arts pedigree, Bermuda was awarded the 3rd Place Team Trophy, a major milestone reflecting both the size and the high competitive standard of the delegation at this elite international tournament.
The final day of competition focused on the technical disciplines of Kobudo and Kata, where Talia Fox set the tone early in the Female 16+ Intermediate/Advanced Kobudo division. After a dominant opening performance, Fox delivered a poised second-round routine to capture a phenomenal Silver medal.
In the Male 16+ Kobudo bracket, Tony Cabral faced one of the most heavily stacked divisions of the day. Despite a display of remarkable power, the sheer depth of the international field prevented him from advancing. However, Cabral found redemption in the afternoon, displaying exceptional precision to secure a well-deserved Bronze medal in the Kata division.
The squad’s younger members also faced a “trial by fire,” with Chan Simons and Giovanni Vianello competing in massive, talent-heavy brackets. Simons displayed particular grit by pulling “double duty,” transitioning from Kata to Kumite, embodying the fighting heart of the Bermudian delegation.
The 3rd Place Team Trophy serves as a powerful reminder that Bermuda is no longer just participating in international karate—they are contending for the top spot on the world stage.
