The journey has begun. The preparation is complete. Now, it is time to compete.
A formidable 92-member ISKF-Guyana delegation, comprising 46 competitors and officials and 46 parents and supporters, departed Guyana on October 21 for Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, where the country’s karatekas will compete at the prestigious 5th ISKF World Shoto Cup Karate Tournament, being held from October 22–25, 2026.
Travelling in two groups via Houston and Panama, the delegation arrived in Mexico carrying not only months of preparation and expectation, but the responsibility of representing Guyana against some of the world’s leading traditional Shotokan karate athletes.
And before the first point is scored, the work continues.
On Thursday, October 22 and Friday, October 23, Team Guyana will participate in intensive international training seminars under Shihan Hiroyoshi Okazaki, providing the athletes with a final opportunity to sharpen their technique and focus ahead of competition.
Then, the battle begins.
The Junior Rank divisions take to the floor on Friday, October 23, before the intensity shifts to the Brown and Black Belt divisions on Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25.
Guyana’s karatekas will line up against ISKF competitors from across the world, including athletes representing Mexico, Barbados, Australia, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, the United States of America and Belize, among other participating nations.
For ISKF-Guyana, however, this campaign represents more than another international tournament.
It is another opportunity to measure the continued development of traditional Shotokan Karate in Guyana against an international benchmark—and to see how a new generation of Guyanese athletes responds when preparation meets pressure on the world stage.
The team enters Mérida following months of training, national competition and preparation, with both experienced international competitors and emerging athletes among the Guyanese contingent.
The uniforms are packed. The flags are raised. The training is almost over.
What happens next will be decided on the tournament floor.
And when Team Guyana steps onto those mats in Mérida, 92 Guyanese may have made the journey—but an entire country will be represented.
The next update from Mexico will tell the story.
