Diaz bags silver in Japan karate tourney

Jerry Diaz bagged a silver medal in the debut of the CNMI in international karate competitions during the Karate Dream Festival 2024 International Championship that was held from July 20 to 21 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.

The championship was participated by 24 countries and over 3,700 martial artists in the motherland of karate.

Diaz was in the yellow belt senior rookie division and almost bagged gold, but fell in overtime against his Japanese opponent in the finals.

The 43-year-old gave it his all in the first 60 seconds. In overtime, he came up short in the last 15 seconds. In the match, he had two flags from the judges, while his opponent had zero. But in overtime, he had zero flags, while his opponent had five.

For karate competitions that are made up of 60 seconds, even if you are leading in the first 30 seconds, but fall short in the last five seconds, the judges will hand the win to the more strategic and aggressive athlete.

With Diaz in the competition for the CNMI delegation was Spencer Floyd and Danny Banez, sensei of the CNMI Martial Arts Academy of Self-Defense-Kyokushinkai Karate Watanabe Dojo. They were coached by Eric Atalig.

They were part of Team Marianas with eight Guam martial artists. For Guam, Yuta Camacho in the rookie junior high school division bagged a bronze medal.

For Floyd, he almost made it to the medal round in the yellow belt senior rookie division, and was one win away, but fell short in the last five seconds of his match after he said he slid backwards and had an awkward fall on his left ankle.

Both Diaz and Floyd’s bracket had only a gold and silver award as it had only 10 competitors or less. At 11 competitors or more, there is a bronze medal—according to the World Karate Organization ruling.

Banez, in the senior black belt division, also lost. Even with that, he said that his dream of competing internationally has come true and that the team did well in their first ever international competition. “It is way over what we expected competing internationally. Having a trophy to bring back to our island of Saipan, we are so very proud to present the success to the community.”

The 68-year-old added, “It is very challenging but we stuck to what we practiced—stayed with the plan and determination to win and bring back smiles.” Also, he said, hopefully it gets the youth’s interest to compete in future events. “We are coming back to Saipan to share what we experienced…” he said.

For Diaz, he said that the competition was exhilarating. He said, “I had to give every ounce of ability and will to overcome the challenge.”

Placing silver in his division, he said, “getting to [the] finals and winning silver in [a] close decision was rewarding and couldn’t have envisioned an outcome to inspire our youth and community. To compete and win at the highest level of karate competition against 24 other countries is an honor.”

He said that the event was world class and very organized as over 3,700 athletes competed in front of 10,000 people in attendance.

He added that he is looking forward to bringing back their experience and knowledge to the CNMI dojo, youth, and the community, to “share that we can compete and win at the highest level of karate martial arts competition. Especially in the motherland of karate—Japan.”

Diaz then thanked their sensei, Banez, for teaching and preparing them, his training partner, Floyd, for sharpening and growing together, and their coach, Atalig, for getting their mindset ready. He also thanked Shinkyokushinkai Guam Dojo sensei Chris Biolchino for taking the CNMI dojo under his.

For 47-year-old Floyd, he said, “The competition was fierce. Months of training is condensed down to 60 seconds. One minute is all you have to apply your skills and techniques against your opponent.”

The air traffic controller at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport added, “The number of countries participating in the event and the sheer number of spectators was breathtaking. Representing the CNMI is a proud and humbling experience, just to have Saipan and Guam bring back trophies after our inaugural entry shows that we can compete with the best on a worldwide level.”

Sponsors of Diaz were May Cabrera of 670 Rocksteady Shop, Roderick Zandueta, Hagu Real, Joereb Diaz, Liza Taylor, Lili from Saipan Fresh Market, Cecille Camama, Amy Kim and family, Esther Sablan and family, Sheryl Vilaga, Jim Arenovski and Island Training Solutions, Arlene Palpallatoc-Domingo and family, Michelle Igisomar and family, Yaong Corporation, Marianas Variety, Shuli Yu, Marianas Visitors Authority, and Pacifica Insurance Underwriters.

Sponsors of the team were BFSM Bank, Joeten Superstore, MMC and Marianas Security, Mobil Tanapag Station, Soudelor Construction, and Kautz Glass. It was in partnership with the Saipan Mayor’s Office and Saipan Mayor Ramon B. “RB” Camacho.