School athletes linked to Segup shine at the Brazilian karate championship and win 19 medals
The team stands out in Fortaleza, with gold, silver, and bronze medals, reinforcing the growth of the school and the social impact of the sport
Athletes from the Karate School of the Pará Institute of Security Education (Ekiesp), linked to the Secretary of Public Security and Social Defense (Segup), experienced a brilliant experience at the Brazilian karate championship, held in Fortaleza, Ceará, from November 19 to 22. In total, the Ekiesp karatekas, who are part of the Pará selection for the modality, won 19 medals, including three gold, six silver, and ten bronze.
For the Secretary of Public Security and Social Defense, Ualame Machado, the results are very important as they demonstrate the commitment and dedication of each of them in the weekly training sessions at Iesp.
“We have had the karate school operating since 2023, and the students have been achieving good results, including participation at a global level from the teacher who trains them. For us, it is very important that in our public security education structure, we can offer children, teenagers, and even adults the practice of the sport, bringing the community closer to security services and providing the opportunity to train, which for many would not be possible in other sports schools. Therefore, I congratulate everyone who is part of Ekiesp, those who participated in the Championship, and for all the victories achieved, which for us are a source of pride and motivation. Our goal is to expand opportunities within the school more and more,” he stated.
The championship took place from November 19 to 22 and included the participation of the Pará karate team, which was made up of 18 students from Ekiesp.
According to the school's teacher, Sergeant PM Paulo Farias Nascimento, who became a three-time Brazilian karate champion in the event, “this was a very important competition for our students to have access to a competition of the magnitude of a national championship. In the matches, we could see that we are on the right track and that the karate practiced at Ekiesp is at the same level as that practiced in Brazil.”
Ekiesp - Founded in 2018 and operational since January 2023, the School serves public security servers of the State, children of military personnel, and the surrounding community of its headquarters, located in Marituba, Metropolitan Region of Belém. The activities carried out daily at the school include physical, tactical, and technical training, with all the necessary support for athletes to represent Pará by delivering their best in championships, such as this Brazilian championship in 2025.
Among the achievements that marked the participation of the Pará athletes from Iesp is that of athlete Michele Castro, 42 years old, who participated for the first time in a national competition, winning three medals, one gold and two bronze. Michele started attending the karate school by bringing her son, and after accompanying him at the Brazilian championship in 2024, when her son was the runner-up, she decided to start training at the school and this year became the Brazilian champion.
“For me, it was wonderful, it was a unique experience. To be able to be there with all those other athletes and show everything I learned over these months, when I had a lot of preparation, I had to overcome myself, give up certain things, and thus, it was a very big challenge, as balancing work, family, and training was very difficult, but still, with all the struggle, with all the challenges and difficulties, I managed to get there and show everything I learned. I managed to bring to our State three medals, one gold and two bronze. Therefore, I am grateful for everything that happened, thanks to my sensei, who helped me, did not let me give up, always encouraging me to improve more and more. I am also grateful to God, because He gives us strength, empowers us, and guides us so that we continue to move forward. And to my family as well, who always supported me not to give up and always seek to improve more and more,” the athlete shared emotionally.
Preparation
The athletes train daily at Iesp and, in September, Ekiesp held an internal kumite (fights) tournament as preparation for the Brazilian karate championship, in the Iesp gym in Marituba, Metropolitan Region of Belém. The tournament brought together about 100 participants, including children and teenagers, who are part of the Iesp Karate School and an invited school, as well as the surrounding community and family members of the athletes.
