Trinidad and Tobago Karate Union
The Trinidad Karate Association is currently the largest active organization teaching traditional Japanese Shotokan karate in Trinidad and Tobago. The TKA is a member the the Trinidad & Tobago Karate union, the governing body for karate in Trinidad and is affiliated to the International Karate Daigaku (IKD) which is headed by Master Frank Woon-A-Tai 8th dan. The current chief instructor is Sensei Dexter Shim 7th dan who is the vice-chief instructor of the IKD.
History of TKA
The TKA was founded in 1967 by brothers David and Michael Chin Leung. After Michael immigrated to Canada, David was left to head the TKA along with early pioneers of Trinidad karate, Brian Chin Leung, D. Reid, Wayne Yip Choy, and R. Tom Pack. The TKA became an official member of the Japan Karate Association (JKA) in 1971.
The TKA soon grew rapidly in Trinidad and it became a founding member of large international organizations such as WUKO (World Union of Karate-do Organizations). The TKA would regularly send teams to competitions ranging from Caribbean, Panam, to World Championships.
David continued his work with TKA until the late 1980's when he became disillusioned with the international organization and resigned as chief instructor of TKA. He is now associated with Hidetaka Nishiyama's ITKF. He was succeeded by his younger brother Brian who continued his work until the late 1980's when he too resigned. He is now affiliated with Ray Dalke's IASK.
Following Brian's resignitation, leadership then passesd down to Dr. Dexter Shim who holds this post up until today. He started karate training in 1968 and was one of the most successful karate-ka that the Caribbean ever produced in international competition. He was a Caribbean gold medalist in kata and a Panam silver medalist. In 2011 the TKA led by Dr. Shim resigned from the ISKF to join the International Karate Daigaku which is headed by Master Frank Woon A Tai.
International Competition
The TKA over the past few years has produced formidable international competitors. In 2004, Trinidad placed third overall at the ISKF Pan-American Championships in Panama and in 2005 and 2006 they placed first overall at the 6th and 7th ISKF Caribbean Championships in Antigua and Trinidad respectively. They placed second overall at the 8th ISKF Caribbean Championships in St. Lucia, 2009.