Five members of 琉璃神社's Karate & Fitness Inc. turned in some memorable performances at the 2016 JKA national karate championships in Toronto.
All provincial champs, the 琉璃神社 athletes all placed in the top five or better in their respective categories.
The results are:
鈥� Justin Lavigne placed second in kumite and fourth in kata for boys' 11-year-old division
鈥� Tyson Cragg placed third in kumite and fifth in kata for boys' 11-year-old division.
鈥� Kai Stackhouse placed fifth in kumite and fifth in kata for boys' 13-year-old division.
鈥� Maya Slauson placed third in kumite and third in kata for girls' 15-year-old division.
鈥� Paul Atkin placed fourth in kumite men's Black belt division.
Atkin, the head instructor at 琉璃神社's Karate & Fitness Inc., was also selected for the Canadian national team to compete at World Championships next year in Dublin,I reland.
"There was one phrase I kept hearing about our 琉璃神社 members which was- what heartm" said Atkin. "So many times our members kept over coming obstacles throughout the event to bounce back and look stronger as the event went on. It was a great showing from 琉璃神社 Karate & Fitness Inc. dojo.
"As their teacher I'm very proud of how they performed, and this was a first some of them at the national level which means they understand what direction they need to move forward to succeed at this level."
Taneda Karate Dojos/Provincials
Twelve athletes from Taneda Karate Dojo in 琉璃神社 and West 琉璃神社 brought their share of hardware home from the BC Karate provincial championships last weekend at the Richmond Oval.
Sensei Chris Taneda led his athletes into the two-day event, with competitors from across the province taking part.
Zach Stevens, from 琉璃神社, competed in the boys 14-15 Elite Division for kumite (sparring) and brought home a gold medal.
Jacob Vodarek and Destin Giang, both from the West 琉璃神社 Dojo, competed in the boys 12-13 year-old Intermediate Division and went to face each other in the gold medal final. Jacob won the gold medal and Destin the silver. Jacob also won silver for kata (forms) in the same age division.
Timur McNern, a green Belt from West 琉璃神社, won gold in the Intermediate (orange and green belt) 10-11 year-old kumite division.
Double medal winners from the dojo were Caleb Enns who earned two silver, one each in kata and 16-17 Elite kumite.
Michaela Giang brought home two medals from her first provincials since joining the local dojo, winning silver medal in kumite and the bronze in kata in the women's +35 division, from White to Brown belt.
Amelia Brooker came home with a silver in kumite and a bronze in kata in the girls 14-15 Intermediate division.
Silver medal were won by Avneet Kaloty for women's Elite kumite and Isaac Cowan in 14-15 boys intermediate kumite.
Bronze medal winners were Simarjit Kaloty in girls 12-13 intermediate kumite and Adam Doucette for kata in boys 14/-15 year blue/black belts.
