Cayman’s Zuzana Leitmannova delivered a performance worthy of a bronze medal during the 10th Commonwealth Club Championships in Birmingham, England.
With speed and technique, Leitmannova, a third-degree black belt in karate, bettered three other competitors in the kata veterans female category to place third.
She told the Cayman Compass that she didn’t expect to place and was over the moon when she realised her score put her on the podium.
“Before we came, I knew there would be a lot of excellent athletes,” Leitmannova said. “The level was high there. So, I didn’t really come thinking I would place but I was really pleased with the results.”
Prior to the club championships, Leitmannova competed at the Commonwealth Karate Championships, where she placed 15th in the senior kata female division. However, she noted that her days of competing are coming to an end.
“I didn’t train as much as I wanted because I was busy with work,” she said. “It’s time for the younger people. Passing the baton kind of thing. Not sure about competing too much, but if I have a chance and I feel like doing it, I’ll do it… I’m too old for this now, but I’m still enjoying it.”
Some of the younger Caymanians coming through the local ranks are Sarah Hydes and Nick Young, who also competed during the karate club and championships in Birmingham.
For Hydes and Young, the Commonwealth competitions marked their first time participating in an international event.
Leitmannova, who trains out of Cayman Associated School of Karate-do, praised her two teammates on their performance during both events.
“They did an excellent job,” she said. “I was surprised with how well they did. It was their first competition ever and it was really challenging for them, but they tried their best and I’m proud of the team.”
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