Karate competitors came from across the globe for kicks

By John Howell
Posted 4/11/17

By JOHN HOWELL The 37th Annual Ocean State Grand National Championships held this weekend at the Crowne Plaza attracted competitors from across the globe. They came from Canada, Peru, Mexico, Hungary, Poland, Russia, England and South Africa among other

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Karate competitors came from across the globe for kicks

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The 37th Annual Ocean State Grand National Championships held this weekend at the Crowne Plaza attracted competitors from across the globe. They came from Canada, Peru, Mexico, Hungary, Poland, Russia, England and South Africa among other places.

But one man traveled to Warwick not to compete but in support of the region’s Cape Verdean community.

Carlos Wahnon Veiga, ambassador of Cabo Verde, has never practiced karate and confessed Saturday during the finals that he was just learning about the sport. He wasn’t alone. Mayor Scott Avedisian was impressed that the tournament sanctioned by the North American Sport Karate Association brought in 1,000 competitors who filled hotel rooms across the city during what is traditionally an off-season period.

As for the fine points of what was happening in the ring, Veiga and Avedisian had an expert at their side, Don Rodrigues of the Don Rodrigues Karate Academy, who has sponsored the national tournament all these years. It’s a project that takes months of preparation and an estimated $100,000 to run.

Rodrigues sat to the side of the judges and his wife Christine, who fed information to the announcer, keeping the program on track.

The entire event wasn’t devoted to the competition. The Ocean State Grand Nationals inducted seven into its hall of fame including David Wahl, Melissa Torres, Ashley (Lima) Sacrey, Kim Ross, Greg Ruth, Kalena Nordgaarden and Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Col. Ann Assumpico.

Rodrigues also found himself on stage not as a presenter, which he did plenty of, but as a recipient. It was April 12, 1967, in Warwick under the tutelage of Grand Master Nick Cerio and George Pesare that Rodrigues started his karate training. That 50th anniversary didn’t go unnoticed. Rodrigues was presented a citation from the General Assembly.

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