black belt overall kumite title yesterday during the 12th annual Bermuda Open Karate Championships held at the Pembroke Sunday School.

The win gave Simmons the coveted Marshall trophy, which was donated in honour of karate practitioner Bruce Marshall, who died last year.

Simmons also placed first in the masters (over 40) kumite, and the board breaking.

An enthusiastic and vocal crowd of more than 100 people packed tightly into the building cheering on their favourites in kata, (forms) kumite, (fighting) and board breaking.

The tournament took on an international air as two tae kwon do teams from Halifax and Boston vied for the various titles.

American Grandmaster Charles (Chuck) Merriman, was also on hand ensuring that the judging followed the proper procedures.

Jose Correia, who is originally from the Cape Verde Islands, though he is currently studying in Boston, won the men's green belt kumite, and kata.

In women's kumite, the Canadians had a first and section place finish with Haligonians Serena Eisenhower and Tina James taking the top spots.

Zengi Ingham celebrated a return to local competition, winning both the men's open black belt kata and the overall kata championship, which pitted him against women's kata winner Kris Matischeck, and weapons open winner Bobby Smith.

Despite close competition in the men's black belt kumite that saw Sherman Hill defeat Canadian Dwight Adams to take first place, the fiercest competition was reserved for the men's brown belt final.

In that category, Freeman Smith made the most of his height advantage, to beat a determined Owen Lightbourne.

The women's division produced some notable performances from Anita Wade who displayed a tenacity not seen anywhere else although finishing third.

As expected, the tandem of Garon Wilkinson and Lakeisha Bell sealed up the top spots in the Junior black belt forms and Wilkinson placed second in the boys 13-15 kumite, after losing to Rashan Smith.

Talia Iris disposed of her competitors to win the girls 10-12 kumite, while Omar Lodge and Zico Jones won the boys 6-7 and 8-9 kumite divisions respectively.