Oak Park Residents Take Home Medals at Karate World Championships

 Last weekend, Oak Park residents Ellora Jaggi, 15 yrs. and Michael Watts, 18 yrs., represented the United States of America at the World Shotokan Karate Championships in Liverpool, England. The World Championships spanned two full days of competition from September 28th  – September 29th. Jaggi and Watts, black belts who train at the Oak Park Park District with the Illinois Shotokan Karate Clubs, competed in the tournament alongside 453 international athletes from 28 countries to fight for the world championship title.

Jaggi brought home a gold medal for team USA in Children Ladies Individual Kumite (Fighting) making her a World Champion in her division and age category. Jaggi also competed in Children Lades Individual Kata (form) and took home a bronze medal. Watts fought hard and took home a gold medal in the Junior Men’s Individual Kumite (fighting) division, also earning him the title of World Shotokan Champion. The USA team finished overall in 5th place with 3 Gold medals, 3 Silver medals and 6 Bronze medals.

Jaggi and Watts will be competing next at the American Shotokan Karate Championships on October 13th at Harper College in Palatine, IL starting at 9 a.m. The event is open to the general public with spectator tickets starting at $3 for children and $5 for adults. Call the Illinois Shotokan Karate Club at (847) 359 – 0666 or visit ISKC.com for more information.