Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

The Roth Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando, in cooperation with 6th-degree Black Belt Sei Shihan Gil Alstein and his Seido Karate Organization, will host its annual Karate Tournament on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 1:30 p.m.

The tournament will be held in the Roth JCC’s Ginsburg Family Gymnasium, featuring boys and girls, ages four and up, from the JCC and other local karate establishments.  A portion of the proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the fight against Breast Cancer.

“This is a great opportunity for children to showcase their skills,” said Sei Shihan Gil Alstein, who coordinates the karate program at the Roth JCC.  “Karate is a lifelong activity, teaching children beneficial life skills.  The goal of this event is for each child to come away with a positive feeling about themselves, with the emphasis on participation, not just winning.”

Each child will receive an award for competing. Children will compete in the following categories:

Technique Shiai  (non-contact fighting), for white belt through advanced yellow to show how they utilize their techniques (blocks, kicks, punches, etc.) against an opponent, without making contact.

Kata (Formal Exercise), for white belts and above who can perform a specific pattern. Contestants are judged on their focus, spirit, balance, power, and execution.

Kumite (Point-sparring, for green belts and above) contestants will point fight. Points are awarded for controlled techniques thrown to legal target areas with contact being made.

All participants must wear safety equipment (hand & foot guards, head gear, mouth piece, and groin cup).

The cost for students to participate is $30 for one event, and $40 for two events.  The cost to watch the tournament is $5.

For information on how to be part of this tournament, contact Gil Alstein at 407-921-6775 or floridaseido@yahoo.com, or contact Royal Webster at the JCC at 407-621-4059.