Forty-six Guyanese karatekas are set to compete at the fifth ISKF World Shoto Cup Karate Tournament in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, from October 22 to 25, as part of a 92-member delegation representing ISKF-Guyana.

The delegation, comprising 46 competitors and officials and 46 parents and supporters, departed Guyana on Wednesday in two groups travelling through Houston and Panama.
Before the competition begins, the athletes will participate in international training seminars on Thursday and Friday under the guidance of Shihan Hiroyoshi Okazaki, giving them an opportunity to refine their techniques ahead of the tournament.

The junior rank divisions are scheduled for Friday, while the brown and black belt divisions will compete on Saturday and Sunday.

Guyana’s karatekas will face competitors from several countries, including Mexico, Barbados, Australia, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, the United States and Belize, among others.
The tournament will provide the Guyanese athletes with an opportunity to test their skills against international opposition and assess the development of traditional Shotokan karate in Guyana.
The team includes experienced international competitors and emerging athletes who have undergone months of training and preparation, alongside national competitions, in the lead-up to the event.