Jerry Diaz poses with the second-place trophy in the yellow belt senior rookie division of the Karate Dream Festival 2024 International Championship held from July 20 to 21 in Tokyo, Japan.
JERRY Diaz won a silver medal in the yellow belt senior rookie division of the Karate Dream Festival 2024 International Championship held from July 20 to 21 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan.
Diaz quickly rose to the top but was met with defeat in the championship match.
Throughout 60 seconds of intense action, Diaz nearly emerged victorious. The match went into overtime, and although Diaz stayed aggressive, his opponent found his second wind during the last 15 seconds and scored enough points to be named the winner.
In the first match of the day, Diaz outclassed his opponent and won a unanimous decision.
His second match went into overtime for the first time, but Diaz was able to zone in on his opponent to notch another win.
“The matches observed and experienced were overwhelmingly exhilarating,” he said. “From youth to seniors, the bouts were fast-paced, technical and performed at the highest level,” he added.
Although Diaz fell short, he was still happy with his results at the prestigious event. “The first feeling and thought was: Marianas, we did it! We represented, competed, and won at the highest level of karate,” Diaz said. “This is the first for the CNMI flag to be included with Guam as part of the Team Marianas Shinkyokushinkai Karate Branch,” he added.
The delegation competed against 24 other countries, including 3,700 youth to senior participants with over 10,000 in attendance to witness an action-packed tournament.
“I’d love to share give a big ‘thank you’ to my wife Rose Diaz and daughters Hana Diaz and Maja Diaz for sticking with me through it all from preparation to competition and post-competition,” Jerry Diaz said.
He also expressed his gratitude to the following sponsors and supporters:
May Cabrera @masmagas78
670 Rocksteady Shop
Roderick Zandueta of Hagu Real
Joe Reb Diaz @jrd_1227
Liza Taylor @milesofsmileswithliza
Li Li @ly.li.9638
Saipan Fresh Market
Cecille Camama
Blue Haus Saipan, Wellness, Beauty & Business Opportunity @bluehaus670
Amy Kim & Familia
Es Laxamana Sablan & Familia
Sheryl Vilaga
Jim Arenovski @island.trainingsolutions
Arlene Palpallatoc-Domingo & Familia @lysandervince
Michelle Igisomar & Familia @migisomar
Yaong Corporation
Marianas Variety News & Views @mvariety670
Shuli Yu @staycafe_saipan
Marianas Visitors Authority
Visit the Marianas
Pacifica Insurance Underwriters @pacificainsurance
“For the opportunity to compete at this tournament, thank you, too, to our Team Marianas branch chief contact, Sensei Chris Biolchino, who took the CNMI under WKO to form the Shinkyokushinkai Marianas joint branch as the 106th member of the World Karate Organization,” Jerry Diaz added.
