Huge turnout for Purple Dragon ‘All In’

The ‘All in’ ideology behind the tournament stemmed from the inclusion of all Purple Dragon branches (dojos) located throughout the country, where 598 participants competed in various categories.

Organiser Sensei Christopher Walton, a fourth-degree black belt with the Purple Dragon, and head of the Couva Dojo, gave Newsday an insight into the event.

“ ‘All in’ sums up the ultimate goal of martial arts, which means if you are totally committed and ‘all in’, you would always achieve victory,” he said.

With the aim of getting everyone on board, Professor Don Jacob, Head Sensei at Purple Dragon, said the organisation intends to hosts several tournaments throughout the year, and Saturday’s event was viewed as the initiation of the project.

He added, “Being a national tournament, the facility added to the international feel and we did a pretty good job in generating a large crowd response as we are ever-grateful for the availability to use the facility for such events.” The various categories on the day included Katas (empty handed/imaginary fighting), Sparring, Weapons (for green belts and over) and team demonstrations.

Purple Dragon Barataria made a clean sweep in the female division with victory in Katas, Weapons and Sparring events. In the male division, Purple Dragon Arima won two Grand Championships in Weapons and Sparring, while Purple Dragon St. Ann’s prevailed in the Empty Hand Katas.

Sponsors for the event included TSTT , Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago, Randy’s Auto Air Conditioning, Mecca Industries, Media 21, Wide Turn Transport Services, The Vector House and Bhola’s Marketing Limited.