Martial arts fans are in for a treat soon because world-renowned Team Paul Mitchell Karate is heading here.
Team Paul Mitchell Karate, one of the longest running sport karate teams in history, will be in Grand Cayman for four days from April 30.
Collectively, the members have won hundreds of world titles over the past 27 years.
Around 16 team members and coaches from all over the United States, plus members from as far afield as Budapest, Hungary, will be conducting their annual training camp, teaching seminars and putting on a spectacular demonstration at the ARC in Camana Bay.
Bob Daigle, the head instructor at the Cayman Karate Academy and the event’s organizer, said, “We are so pleased they accepted our invitation and are grateful to Camana Bay for sponsoring the venue.”
Cayman Karate’s children’s demo team will also perform at “The Night of Champions” show on May 3.
Daigle said it will be the first public showing for the children’s demo team and will be a big confidence builder for them to perform alongside Team Paul Mitchell.
“We encourage students from all martial arts schools in Grand Cayman to come out and watch these truly amazing martial artists in action,” he said.
This is not the first time the team has visited Cayman. Starting in the ‘90s, it came here for six consecutive years for its training camp and to compete and perform at Daigle’s international karate championships. It was an annual highlight for Cayman’s martial arts enthusiasts to see the team in action.
“The team that performed here in the ‘90s was amazing,” he said. “The level of skill of top martial artists in 2014 is mind-blowing too.”
Daigle recently went to Texas for a martial arts training conference and had the opportunity to see one of the team members perform.
“Tyler Weaver’s demo was absolutely incredible. The children in the audience erupted with a huge applause.”
Daigle believes this event will inspire a new generation of children to reach higher levels, partly because every team member is passionate about helping children to achieve their best.
“They are not just the best martial artists in the world, they are more importantly incredible role models for our youth,” he said.
After the demos, children can pose for pictures with the team in front of a special banner backdrop sponsored by FAST Signs.
Several of the team members have also been in movies. Caitlin Dechelle was in a recent Jackie Chan film, “Chinese Zodiac” and is in “Fast and Furious 7,” which will be released next year.
“You don’t get selected for a fight scene in one of Jackie Chan’s movies easily,” Daigle said. “When you see Caitlin perform live, you will understand why she got the movie chance.”
He thanked Dollar car rental for recently agreeing to provide transportation for all the visitors.
Daigle also thanked Lisa Ebanks of Villas of the Galleon and Sunshine Suites for sponsoring some of the accommodation.
“We would also like to thank Bob Watler of Watler’s Metal Products for their sponsorship and Roland Bodden and Company for their support of this event.
“Without support from the business community, events like this are not possible. We hope more companies and individuals come on board and show support.”
The net proceeds from “The Night of Champions” show will be used to provide scholarships for young Caymanians who cannot afford martial arts lessons.
For more information about this event, contact [email protected].
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