SPOKANE, Wash. — For hundreds of young athletes, the USA Karate National Championships and U.S. Junior Team Trials are about far more than medals.
Held this weekend at The Podium in Spokane, the event brings together some of the nation’s top karate competitors, many of them hoping to earn national titles and the opportunity to represent the United States on the international stage.
For athletes in the 14-15 age division, the stakes are especially high.
“This is absolutely crazy important,” said Denver native Ronan Beale, a top-four finalist in his division. “That’s where the real tough people are. So the strongest people come out of the 14-15 age range.”
This year’s championships carry even more significance because the winners in the junior divisions qualify to represent the United States at the Junior World Championships.
“The first-place winner gets to go and represent our country in front of the world,” Denver coach and USA Karate team member Eddie Sagilyan said. “That’s a very big pressure.”
Sagilyan said events like the national championships provide more than elite competition. They also teach lessons that extend well beyond the mat.
“It’s a sense of community and also it’s a sense of being able to lose,” he said. “You’re going to get hit hard. You’re going to have things not go your way. That’s life. But being able to put your mind in the right place and continue pushing forward is the biggest thing.”
USA Karate President Elisa Au said creating opportunities for young athletes to compete at a high level is one of the organization’s biggest priorities.
“We’re a big country, and it’s hard for athletes in all corners of the United States to have really high-quality competition,” Au said. “We’re really trying to give each athlete as many opportunities for high-level competition as possible.”
Au also said karate is about much more than what people often see in movies.
“It’s character development, it’s team bonding,” she said. “It’s just as much a team sport as any other sport you might see out there.”
Athletes echoed that message throughout the weekend.
Massachusetts competitor Garv Masurkar said one of the best parts of nationals is seeing athletes from across the country who share the same passion.
“It’s a little bit nerve-racking seeing all these people,” Masurkar said, “but it’s fun meeting all these people my age with the same passion.”
His teammate, Alexander Ievin, said the demanding training makes moments like nationals worthwhile.
“It’s definitely motivating,” Ievin said. “It’s intense at times trying to train, but it’s definitely worth it to come out here.”
For 14-year-old Manuel Ramos of Miami, the motivation is simple.
“I love fighting. I love competing because I just love winning and the gold medals,” Ramos said.
Ramos hopes to continue climbing the international ladder after nationals.
“I’m trying to go to Pan Ams,” he said. “Just have fun out there.”
The tournament also attracted international talent. World champion Moamen Mohamed traveled from Egypt while preparing for November’s World Cup in China, calling Spokane’s event “a great tournament” and praising the level of competition.
Whether they leave Spokane with a medal or not, the experience provides young athletes with a chance to test themselves against the country’s best while taking another step toward their dreams of wearing the red, white and blue.
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