“Osu!” is a term common to all karatekas or karate practitioners which signifies respect or readiness to fight with determination and perseverance. The same principle and value was carried by the Karate no Chikara (Power of Karate) students of ACTION, Inc. when they joined the recently held Kyokushin Karate-do Philippines Knock Down Tournament last June 16, 2018 at City Mall, Imus City, Cavite.
Sixteen (16) children (9 male and 7 female) and one (1) male Karate Instructor participated in the tournament organized by Kyokushin Karate-do Philippines Cavite Chapter. These children came from ACTION’s partner residential care facilities and communities namely People’s Recovery Empowerment Development Assistance (PREDA) Foundation Home for Boys and Home for Girls, Jireh Children’s Home, Inc. and Tayo ang Tinig at Gabay (TATAG) Inc. Karatekas from different karate dojo in Quezon Province, Novaliches in Quezon City and in Cavite were also present to join the tournament.
All children from ACTION fought under Kumite category or the element of karate with real opponent. Kumite was divided into age and sex division: 6 years old below, 7-8 years old, 9-10 years old, 11-12 years old, 13-14 years old, 15-16 years old, Men and Women’s 17 years old above, and senior.
After the friendly tournament, six (6) Karate no Chikara beneficiaries won and received trophies and certificates: one (1) child from PREDA Home for Girls won 2nd Place for the 11-12 years old female category; two (2) children from Jireh Children’s Home won 2nd Place for the 13-14 years old female category and 3rd Place for the 9-10 years old male category; and three (3) children from TATAG, Inc. won 2nd Place for the 9-10 years old female category, and 3rd and 4th Place for the 6 years old and below category.
ACTION is very proud of all the participants who joined the tournament. With the very same principle of determination and perseverance, ACTION will always be determined and will always persevere to teach children different skills to empower and bring out the best in them.
‘Til the next tournament. Congratulations! Osu!
Prepared by:
Evangeline Grace J. Balais
Project Coordinator
