Sunday 12 May, at the Palasport of Acri (Cosenza) – the regional qualification phase for the Italian Kumite and Kata Championship for Beginners (born in 2012 and 2011) and the qualification for the Coni 2024 M/F Trophy (same age group Eso.), organized by the Fijlkam Calabria Regional Committee, were held and the collaboration of the ASD Athena Karate Club of Acri of Maestro Pino Giordano.
The opening ceremony of the event, in the presence of the local authorities, managers of the Calabria Committee, race officials, athletes and technicians, was characterized by a moment of commemoration, observing a minute’s silence, for the passing of the highly esteemed Mrs. Francesca Bilardi, former President of the Karate Sector and wife of the current President of the Karate Sector Maestro Gerardo Gemelli, a woman, mother and grandmother of impeccable virtues and beloved manager of Calabrian Karate. The competition dedicated to Kumite saw the participation of 74 athletes divided into 16 weight categories – 8 for the female class and 8 for the male.
While 12 athletes (5 m and 7 f.) participated in the Kata competition, the Crotonese Karate school ASD Martial Kroton Ryu, led in the competition by the technician and coach Carlo Bellino, participated, in the Kumite specialty, with 3 athletes, respectively: in the female class, 40 kg – Maia Capocasale, who after winning the first match won the Silver medal in the final and the pass to the Italian championship; in the men’s 38kg class – Giuseppe Carlino, in his competitive debut, tries to defend himself well, concluding his first match with an equal technical score, but won by his opponent due to the referee’s judgement; again in the men’s 43kg class – Andrea Bisicchia after having overcome three matches, with great athletic dexterity and technical superiority, won the Gold medal and the title of regional champion 2024, as well as the pass to the national final. To this important result, by karateka Andrea, was added another Gold medal and the pass to the Coni trophy, after having won, with a score of 8-2, the qualifying final, which saw the first place finishers of the cat. weighing 43 and 48 kg. Present at the event was Master Francesco Bellino, Resp. CTR Calabria, who watched the competition until mid-day, at which point, a representation of the regional council of the Karate Fijlkam sector, chaired by the President Reg. M° Enzo Migliarese, the Commissioner Tech. Reg. M° Luciano Dichiera, the Admin Contact. Sole Reg. Dr. Viola Zangara and Maestro F. Bellino went on Sunday afternoon to the parish church of Maria SS. of Porto Salvo in Gallico Marina (RC), to honor Mrs. Franca in the celebration of the funeral rite and give comfort to the family of Maestro Gemelli and the Bilardi family.
Returning to the competition, at the end of the day of competition, the coach Carlo Bellino complimented his students on the excellent results obtained, and thanked the parents present for cheering and supporting the Martial Team. Now we will continue with the preparation of Capocasale and Bisicchia in view of the national finals, scheduled for 1 to 2 June, at the Palapellicone in Ostia. While there will be more time to prepare for the final of the Coni Trophy scheduled in Sicily, in Catania, from 3 to 6 October 2024, in which Bisicchia together with the Calabrian team – made up of 5 athletes – 2 atl. Kata and 3 atl. Kumite – will take part. The ASD Martial Kroton Ryu wishes its athletes and all the qualified Calabrian athletes good luck for the upcoming Italian championships in June.
