Jerry Diaz karate chops way to gold

Blue belt Jerry Diaz, right, poses with his first place trophy and sensei Taishi Watanabe, a renowned karate sensie. Diaz is from Saipan’s Kyokushinkai Karate Watanabe Dojo and won gold after he defeated a black belt competitor during the World Karate Organization Shinkyokushinkai Full Contact Karate Championship 2023 at the Ilearn Academy Gymnasium in Guam last April 29.(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Jerry Diaz won gold in the recently concluded World Karate Organization Shinkyokushinkai Full Contact Karate Championship 2023 at the Ilearn Academy Gymnasium in Guam last April 29.

The blue belt defeated black belt Bernard Sacayan of WKO Guam in the championship round and prior to that, beat orange belt Jonathan Basto also of WKO Guam in the first round of the senior men open weight division for ages 40 and older.

Diaz said of his approach in the tourney as a first-time karate competitor, “it was important to be patient during the first-round… and not overreact during their striking approach. When an opportunity present[ed] itself, I react appropriately to my natural reaction.”

“During the finals, I didn’t want to be overconfident and approached my black belt competition with the same balance of aggression and patience,” he said. 

“Most importantly, during both rounds, I was intentional with asserting my will. I studied World Karate Organization rules on winning and the foir judges would observe for which participant was most aggressive and consistent during the competition that includes strikes, pushing the pace, moving forward, and enduring the incoming strikes. I followed this approach [and] didn’t want to leave it to the four judges to be undecided. I wanted to be the unanimous karate participant on the mat that was most recognized.”

Since their invitation to the tourney last November, under the tutelage of black belt sensei Danny Banez of the Kyokushinkai Karate Watanabe Dojo, Diaz said that they have prepared rigorously the karate techniques of kumite (hand-to-hand combat), counter reaction, refining strikes and kicks, and the Ibuki breathing technique to shield the core from accepting strikes from opponents.

Diaz said overall the tournament was “very organized by sensei Chris Biolchino and his team.”

After the tourney, Diaz was invited to the Japan Dream Festival World Karate Competition 2024 and said that he will now be heading back to the dojo to prepare for that.

His sensei, Danny Banez, said that he is so proud of Diaz for winning. “I was so emotional when I heard that he had won gold,” he said. “It shows that no matter how new you are, if you’re disciplined and committed, you can do anything.”

Banez said that Diaz’s win puts Saipan on the map for karate and is also very thankful for the invitation to the Japan Karate Competition, which he said is a huge event that will host a number of people from different countries.

Diaz thanked his family—wife Rose and daughters Hana and Maja—for “supporting me throughout my karate journey, preparation, and competition. They were by my side every step of the way and my true inspiration that if you set your mind [on] anything, you can be successful” and Banez for his tutelage from last September to the present. “Bringing home the gold for sensei validates his approach that a beginner like me can learn and compete at a high-level competition.”

He also thanked coach Eric Atalig for his coaching and guidance during the tournament; Guam family Lucy Baba and Ricky Baba for their hospitality and accommodations; Dennis Guo, the CNMI youth karate champion in his age division; sensei Taishi Watanabe; and sensei Chris Biolchino for the Guam Karate Tournament invitation. 

He then thanked his sponsors May Cabrera and 670 Rocksteady Shop, Li Li and Saipan Fresh Market, Amy and family, Arlene Palpallatoc-Domingo family and JC World Fit, Michelle Igisomar and family, Island Apparel, and Guam Plaza.