Power Rangers Super Mega Force star Azim Rizk will be the guest of honour when the North American Federation of Martial Artists stages its World Martial Arts Festival and Championships at the Hyatt Regency on Wrightson Road this weekend. This was revealed during a press conference at the T&T Olympic Committee House on Abercrombie Street yesterday.
The 24-year-old American actor, who plays the Green Power Ranger on the popular Nickelodeon series, will take part in a VIP meet and greet in full costume at the hotel from 8-10 pm tonight and will later attend an after party following the tournament on Saturday. An avid martial artist, he will be imparting his years of knowledge with the competitors and will also spend quality time with fans.
“I love T&T. I’m really glad to be a part of this,” he said yesterday. Over 300 athletes from Mexico, USA, Canada, St Lucia, Guyana, Suriname and T&T will take part in the tournament, which is being held at the Hyatt from 9 am to 5 pm tomorrow. It will mark the second time the event is being held in T&T after a successful staging in 2013.
Tournament director Master Jose Torres said he was expecting some exciting competition over the weekend. “The event was a great success two years ago and that’s why we’re back in T&T,” he said. The NAFMA Worlds Martial Arts Festival and Championships will be celebrating its tenth anniversary this year and will move on to St Lucia for its next staging.
The 25 members of the American team were present at yesterday’s launch, including 11-year-old prodigy AJ Torres. “I’m grateful to be here. I’ve always dreamed to be a Power Ranger so getting to meet Azim is really cool,” he said.