The President Michel Martelly, has invited at the National Palace, this Wednesday 29 August, the Haitian delegation of Karate of the School Frères Abélard. 25 Haitian karatekas led by Robert Henri and Lionel Shian Abelard, have excelled at the 24th International Tournament of Karateorganized by the American Federation of Martial Arts (AFMA), which took place on 18 and 19 August 2012 in Panama City, which brought together karatekas from United States, Puerto Rico, Chile, Venezuela, Panama, Vietnam and Haiti.

Our young Haitian karatekas, won 23 medals (5 gold, 12 silver and 6 bronze). Our gold medalists include : Anne Kimara Bernard (2 gold medals), Brice Christopher Beloved (1 gold medal), Wilfrid Jean-Pierre, 5 medals (1 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze ) and Yuri Sebastien Larose (1 gold).

The Head of State who transmitted his congratulations to the karateka of the School Frères Abélard and to Haitian Federation of Karate sees in these athletes of models for Haitian youth "It is very comforting !" he declared, while stressing that these young athletes, have proven during the tournament, their talents and determination "In a competition, It takes energy and courage to win. These medals are the proof... I am proud of your achievement, your tenacity and your passion," said the President Martelly, before to move towards Wilfrid Jean-Pierre, [5 medals] and promising him the accompaniment of teh State, at the level of education and many other projects.

In his speech, the Shian Henri-Robert Abélard, commended the President Martelly, for having invited and honored in a big way the Haitian delegation of karate victorious and thanked the Government and the Presidency for their support. Recalling that "The defeat makes unfortunately much more din in this country [...] but, today, thanks to you, the din of the victory taken over the din of the defeat."

The President of the Republic took this opportunity to renew its support for national sports initiatives, including the 25th International Martial Arts Championship to be held next year in Haiti and promised not to miss any opportunity to pay tribute to Haitian compatriots that honor the country abroad.

HL/ BF/ HaitiLibre