Silver in Sparring: Dania Kenny Takes Second Place in Karate Internationals

Dania Kenny traveled 3,000 miles earlier this month to compete in the 50th Long Beach International Karate Championships in California.

With her parents, Patrick and Michele Kenny rooting her on in the matches, the talented 11-year-old athlete took home the silver medal in sparring – quite a performance in her first-ever out-of-state competition.

Kenny, who starts sixth grade at the Susan B. Anthony Middle School next week, just missed out on gold and the international title when her opponent from Mexico scored a point in the final seconds.

Holder of a blue belt and representing the Revere Karate Academy, Dania, the youngest competitor in her division, had defeated an opponent from Ireland in the semifinals.

Dania trains under the direction of Anthony Cogliandro at the Academy. Doreen Cogliandro, an inductee in the International Karate Hall of Fame, is the owner of the Academy.

“Anthony has been my instructor for three years,” said Dania, who previously held white, yellow, orange, and purple belts in Karate. “He teaches me really well and inspires me to work hard. I hope to continue on to other belts.”

Dania’s specialty in Karate is sparring. She has won medals at inter-school competitions and area events.

In addition to her participation in Karate, Dania also takes dance lessons at Sheila Rosanio’s School of Dance in Revere.

“She started off dancing and then I said, ‘Why don’t you try Karate?’ and she’s been doing it since,” says her father.

The whole family celebrated Dania’s success in the international tournament.

“Dania brought the medal to show her godfather [Robert Gillespie] and he started to tear up,” said Michele Kenny. “He was so proud of her and my husband and I are, too.”

Jack Giuliotti selected to play hockey in Sweden

Jack Giuliotti, son of East Boston native and former Revere resident John Giuliotti, has been selected as a member of the 14-year old US satellite hockey team currently playing a series of games in Sweden.

Giuliotti, a  defenseman who will be entering Reading High in the fall, was chosen following a series of tryouts, will compete and train with 20 other teammates in Stockholm for eight days ending August 22.

In addition to several games in Sweden this international experience also includes an educational trip exposing the players to the Scandinavian culture.

The team is coached by former UMass-Amherst coach Joe Mallan, currently the head of the Middlesex School hockey program. His assiatant coach is John Giuliotti, head coach at North Reading High.

Jack began skating in the Reading Youth program where he played for four years before joining the Middlesex Braves select program. For the past three years he’s been a member of the East Coast Wizards coached by Sean Gorman.

Jack is the grandson of  the well known former correspondent of the Boston Herald Joe Guiliotti.