Photos: Youth Team Competes At Miami Open
The Bermuda youth team competed in the Miami Open 2025 Kata Competition, held in Miami Lakes, Florida over the weekend.
A spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Karate Federation proudly fielded a talented youth team at the Miami Open 2025 Kata Competition, held in Miami Lakes, Florida on June 14–15. This prestigious tournament welcomed top-level athletes from across the United States, Chile, the Bahamas, Trinidad, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Dominica, and other nations, setting a high standard for performance and sportsmanship.
“For many of Bermuda’s young athletes, this was their first experience competing overseas and their debut at a World Karate Federation [WKF] sanctioned event. Despite the challenges, each member of the team demonstrated remarkable composure, dedication, and discipline in representing Bermuda on the international stage.
“Dash Bailey, Khwai Mendoza, Oden Flanagan, Million Talbot, and Talaya Sousa displayed solid efforts and determination in their kata divisions. While they were eliminated in the first round, their presence and spirit spoke volumes about their commitment to growth and future success.
“Amarriah Vaughans and Alessia Vianello advanced to the second round of their divisions. Amarriah rebounded with a strong win after an initial loss, while Alessia gave a determined effort despite falling short of the podium. Zoe Talbot impressed with two consecutive wins and drew the attention of a judge who personally praised her technique to Coach Arnold Allen.
“Talia Fox, who served both as coach and competitor, led by example and captured gold in her division. A late addition to the team, Chan Simons, delivered an outstanding performance by earning silver in the under-10 kata division.
“This trip marked a major milestone for the Bermuda Karate Federation. It is the first time the organization has taken a youth team abroad for competition since becoming a National Sports Governing Body [NSGB]. After years of building a solid development structure at home, this tournament stands as a testament to the progress the federation has made and the bright future ahead for Bermuda karate.
“The success of this initiative would not have been possible without the support of the Department of Sport and Recreation through the Sports Investment Program [SIP]. Their contribution was vital in making this opportunity a reality for our young athletes.
“The BKF is proud of the entire team and their coaches—Nigel Williams, Talia Fox, and Arnold Allen—who have dedicated months to preparing the athletes for this level of competition. Bermuda’s karate community can look ahead with pride and optimism as our athletes continue to grow and excel on the world stage.”
Read More About
Category: All, Photos, Sports, Sports
