Karate: World Tang Soo Do Association (WTSDA) Region 14 Championship |31 October 2023

The Northern Tang Soo Do Seychelles team with President Ramkalawan (Photo: Louis Toussaint)

President Ramkalawan welcomes Team Seychelles at State House

Following their excellent performance at the recently-held World Tang Soo Do Association (WTSDA) Region 14 Championship held in Maputo, Mozambique, the Northern Tang Soo Do Seychelles team was welcomed at State House yesterday by President Wavel Ramkalawan.

The group was led by Master James Faure who was also rewarded during the championship for his many years of outstanding dedication to the Art of Tang Soo Do, and the WTSDA, and BSBN Mastura Shah-Faure who also received a plaque of commendation for the enhancement of the honour of Tang Soo Do, and the development of the WTSDA.

Firstly, President Ramkalawan congratulated the team for flying the Seychelles’ flag high at the championship, noting that it is always an honour, not only for the country, but the whole population, whenever local athletes excel at international level, bringing home good results.

The head-of-state added that the good result should serve as motivation for the young athletes to commit more, and train harder to achieve greater results next time.

President Ramkalawan also reminded the young athletes that sports and good discipline are key elements that bring additional motivation and concentration when it comes to their studies.

Having supported Northern Tang Soo Do Seychelles before, President Ramkalawan pledged his future support towards the group, which is not only engaging youngsters in sports, but also moulding them into future exemplary citizens.

At the championship, the gold medals were from Jishin Jins (2), Mastura Shah-Faure (1), Kyan Francourt (1) and Tariq Shah-Faure (1), while the silver medals were from Mastura Shah-Faure (1), Jishin (1), Francourt (1), Ashwin Ragupathy (1), and Alan Murzalin (1).

As for the bronze medals they were won by Ragupathy (1), Tahsin Shah-Faure (1), Hershall Belle (1), and Jonathan Volcère (1).

Jishin also won the Senior GUP Trophy, in the male category, while Tiny Tiger Amber Belle received a Special Tiny Tiger medal.

Complete results of the Northern Tang Soo Do at the Region 14 Championship

1. Mastura Shah-Faure: 3rd DAN Black Belt, 1st in Open Hand Hyung & 2nd in Hyung with weapon. 47 years old.

2. Jishin Jins: 4th GUP (Brown belt), 1st in Open Hand Hyung, 1st in Hyung with weapon, 2nd in Sparring. 14 years old.

3. Tariq Shah-Faure: 4th GUP (Brown belt), 1st in Hyung with weapon. 16 years old.

4. Kyan Francourt: 8th GUP (Orange belt), 1st in open hand hyung & 2nd in Sparring. 14 years old.

5. Ashwin Ragupathy: 7th GUP (Orange Stripe), 2nd in open Hand Hyung & 3rd in Team Hyung. 8 years old.

6. Alan Murzalin: 8th GUP (Orange belt), 2nd in Open Hand Hyung. 11 years old.

7. Tahsin Shah-Faure: 7th GUP (Orange Stripe), 3rd in Team hyung. 10 years old.

8. Hershall Belle: 7th GUP (Orange Stripe), 3rd in Team Hyung. 9 years old.

Roland Duval