Team Elite Karate were declared Crown East Side champions at the completion of the 2009 East-side Karate Championships held recently at Valencia Secondary School, Valencia.

Visiting schools from throughout the north-eastern region came out in their numbers to represent their clubs in several divisions, including Open Katas, Kumite, self-defence, grappling and team kumite.

Team Elite Karate captured the team title with a convincing 14-7 win over a combined team of Valencia and St Joseph in the Team Kumite division.

That Sangre Grande-based squad comprised five members spearheaded by Sensei Barry Winter, along with Cassius Chandree, Keon Toussaint, Renaldo Ragoonath and Sherwyn Collins.

Sensei Winter was very proud of his team’s success in this event as they paraded their trophy in front of the Valencia locals who were very supportive.