2008 has been a helluva year to say the least and this later months
especially. While on the way to a Beef n Beer benefit for an old
friend karate instructor who's suffereing from an inoperable and
deadly form of Cancer, I learn of the passing of someone even closer
to me. A teammate of mine from the 2007 NAFMA TeamUSA. Shawn Silva.
31 years old, died of a severe asthma attack. His wife Bridgette and
him, though underbelts gave it their best shot and won a place on the
2007 team at the trials. Their instructor at that time however failed
to place on the team and took his frustrations out on them which
eventually lead them to quitting his school in search of someone more
supportive of their needs. Those two were a very adorable and well
liked couple and despite their setbacks performed wonderfully at the
World championships. In world class competition there are no belt
divisions and they had to hold their own against potential blackbelt
rivals and they both wowed everyone. As a team member you are counted
on to perform not only in your particular specialty divison but in
all the others suchs as padded stickfighting, point karate sparring,
weapon and emptyhand kata. Shawn's strongest division was adult
heavywieght men's point sparring but he caught on and learned the
game fast to become a very dangerous stickfighter as well despite not
having a stickfighting background from his former school. My heart
goes out to his family, namely his wife Bridgette. Shawn will be
greatly missed. His memory will be honored at the next Nafma
Nationals and Awards Dinner banquet in Atlantic city in March.