The 2011 Pan American Games Team were finalizing preparations at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs prior to their departure for Guadalajara, Mexico.

Team members Cheryl Murphy, Brian Mertel, Shannon Nishi, Adam Brozer, Tyler Wolf and Tom Scott along with Coach Dustin Baldis spent a week utilizing all the facilities at the training center.  USA Karate Team members Brandis Miyazaki and Brian Hilliard also joined the team to help with team  workouts.  Through out the week the team trained twice a day along with having daily team meetings.  The team also met with USADA to better understand drug testing and USOC Sports Nutritionalist.  During the week Team USA made a special visit to Memorial Children's Hospital and met with a number of kids to offer their well wishes as well as trying to brighten up their day.  It was a very inspiring visit as all the team members were taken back by a 5 year old boy named Joseph who was recovering from falling out of a moving car.  This soon to be spiderman had the whole team in the palm of his hands.  Several visitors from USA Karate came by to watch and show support to the team and wish them luck in this upcoming and most prestigious event.  The spectacular Pan American Games Opening Ceremonies were Friday October 14th.  The USA Karate Team arrives in Houston, Texas on Saturday October 22nd for team processing then departs for Guadalajara on Sunday the 23rd.  The karate competition starts Thursday October 27-29 and the team will also be part of the closing ceremonies on October 30th.  Follow their journey on our website and at http://karate.teamusa.org/

• Click to open image! Click to open image!
• Click to open image! Click to open image!
• Click to open image! Click to open image!
• Click to open image! Click to open image!
• Click to open image! Click to open image!
• Click to open image! Click to open image!
•