Winter 2014

30 years and up It’s time for the Masters

Karate BC has literally exploded with opportunities for ʺmastersʺ age group athletes, and believe it or not, that’s people 30 years old and up.

Sensei Ali Najafi with Kimya Najafi demonstrate board breaking in foreground. In As Karate BC Executive Director the back ground are Warren MacLean with Nika Najafi — Photo by KNSKA member puts it, Wow!!!

Our provincial championships have had only about 10 participants in the Karate in the Mall 35+ age group in the past few years but we have more than 800 KimNik Shotokan Karate Academy championship, the six teams were members over the age of 30. represented Karate BC at the able to perform their Kata and Willowbrook Shopping Centre in bunkai in public. So the board has gone out and Langley as part of the Health and sought opportunities for this age Sensei Ali Najafi and his family also Fitness weekend in May. group to find ways to express performed their family kata, a fun themselves socially, educationally KimNik Karate Academy is proud to thing they always prepare for their and in a competitive environment. be a traditional and sport karate club Zone 3 tournament. building strong foundations that will  KBC has applied for, and been help their athletes and practitioners Young but strong athletes of this accepted, as a sport in the 2015 enjoy our art as a lifelong skill. club presented their Kihon, Kata and other skills in public with many BC +55 Games in North This club has a very family focus and audiences at this big shopping Vancouver, Aug. 25‐29, 2015 promotes healthy families who like to center on a busy Mother’s Day We have over 200 members in this stay healthy or make their weekend. connections stronger. age category so we are hoping this Dojo members were happy to event will provide an opportunity As this well‐organized event was represent their provincial karate for those eligible to meet and right after the BC Provincial organization in this great (Continued on page 7) opportunity.

Karate BC NEWS

In Memory of OʹSensei Tsuruoka,

the Father of Karate in Canada Fortius Athlete Development Centre Sydney Landing 2002A Karate BC was saddened at the passing of OʹSensei Masami 3713 Kensington Avenue Tsuruoka, the Father of Karate in Canada, October 10, 2014 at the Burnaby, BC V5B 0A7 age of 85. t 604.333.3610 OʹSensei was a teacher and mentor both in and out of the dojo. His f 604.333.3612 dedication loyalty and passion affected thousands worldwide. e [email protected] He will be remembered in the hearts of many and in the karate www.karatebc.org legacy he leaves behind. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Sensei Rick Penner of Kelowna represented Karate BC at O’Sensei’s President: Charles La Vertu memorial service. [email protected]

1st Vice‐President: Karate Canada National Championships Donna Gardecki [email protected] Karate Canada and Karate BC will be most important multisport hosting the 2015 National competitions Canada has hosted: the 2nd Vice‐President: Championships Jan. 30 – Feb. 1, 2015 Toronto 2015 Pan American and at the Richmond Olympic Oval. This Parapan American Games. Kurt Nordli event will bring together high profile [email protected] athletes and expects to draw We are seeking Volunteers to make spectators and participants from all this event the best it has ever been! If Secretary: Sarah Perez over the country, as the nation’s best you would like to have a front row talent takes to the rings. seat to all the action please to [email protected] register and let us know your This edition will have a very distinct availability. Treasurer: Ken Corrigan flavor as it’s the last national Please share this with anyone you [email protected] competition before the Pan think would be interested. American Games Qualifier (March Membership: Andreas Kuntze 2015 in Toronto) and it will be the To sign up, please visit: https:// last opportunity for athletes to earn docs.google.com/forms/d/1‐ [email protected] points towards National Team W2000w65n3‐iQZ‐vhooH9P9‐ Directors‐At‐Large: selection and the opportunity to VNq6ndApH6qjNN2eJU/viewform? represent our country at one of the c=0&w=1 Rick Penner

[email protected] Karate BC Affiliations: Coaching Association of BC Brendan Flower Karate Canada The Canadian Olympic Pan‐American Karate Federation Association [email protected] World Karate Federation BC Recreation and Parks Association Paul Sexton Canadian Sport Council [email protected]

Ministry of Community, Newsletter Editor: Sport and Cultural Charles La Vertu Development

2 Karate BC NEWS demonstration on Saturday was performed by Sensei Barry Gower’s Uechi Ryu students.

On Sunday Sensei Akiro Sato performed a knife defence demonstration to the delight of all.

The committee also created a commemorative Yearbook, compiled by President Charles La Vertu which was distributed to participants and spectators during the weekend.

This book was very professionally done. Okinawan Eisa dancers The tournament committee/ anniversary committee had Kerr’s Recognition Services Inc. create a special tournament medal 40th Anniversary commemorating 40 years for KBC. It is spectacular. By Dan Wallis The committee also arranged for an entertaining demonstration Saturday A special thank you to our morning of Okinawan Eisa th 40 anniversary committee for dancers. arranging special commemorative events as well as Thank you to Sensei Mike creating Scales for arranging this outstanding event. mementoes to mark On Saturday the audience this historic was entertained with occasion for Karate demonstrations by Sensei BC. Shapland’s Thesshinkan Don Shapland We started with kobudo students. Sensei Don Another very interesting Shapland’s seminar on The history and evolution of kata.

Close to 30 participants heard some of the key advances in kata as seen through the eyes of the Okinawans. Very interesting.

That evening a “trailer” of the DVD Otusan‐The Life of Masami Tsuroka was shown and 25 copies of the DVD sold.

If anyone else would like a copy, please refer to the Karate Canada website or contact Dan Wallis for more information on purchasing a Uechi Ryu students demonstrate kata DVD. 3 Karate BC NEWS We are 40 and counting From 300 to 4,000 members

By Charles La Vertu in Canada, O’Sensei Masami President, Tsuruoka, Karate BC, then called the Karate BC National Karate Association – British Columbia Branch, started with 300 Karate BC is celebrating our 40th members, mostly adults, peaked at anniversary this year. around 4,600 and is now 4,000 strong, mostly young people. This milestone was marked at our Provincials which saw 600 compete Our juniors outnumber our seniors O’Sensei Tsuruoka and Charles La Vertu over two days in 80 divisions. by about two to one and males competitors in 1973 to more than 60 outnumber females at about the same Founding member Shihan Akira Sato in 2014. ratio. In 1974 there were few females notes that the first KBC tournaments in our dojos, and the tournaments had no weight categories and only This shows how far we have come were for men only. one division with as many as 120 from, when a group of dojo blackbelts competing in one ring. instructors got together in 1974 so BC members have had major that they and their students could influence nationally and Former president Mark Stacey points compete against each other and on internationally in the karate world, out there were no women or kids. the national and international scene. people like: The BC Team has gone from three Encouraged by the Father of Karate Our first executive director, Sensei James Johnson, is a member of the National Karate Hall of Fame;

Sensei Norma Foster is the first woman to be appointed to the World Karate Federation Referee Council;

Founding member Dr. Chee Ling has served on the Canadian Olympic Committee and the WKF Medical Commission;

Sensei Mark Stacey whose insistence on developing our policy manual helped set the tone for our organization for years to come;

Sensei Dan Wallis, former National Karate Association and Karate BC president and current KBC executive director, brought stability to the national body; and Ling family at their family dojo in Delta. The picture includes five grandchildren (Ethan, Matthew, Alec, Tristan and James), son‐in‐law Marshall Cheng, daughters The late Sensei Cal Moore helped (Rassamee, Tanya, and Mee Lain), and Joan and Chee Ling. Son–in‐law Jim Scouras create the karate component of the was absent. Not shown but active in karate in Washington DC are grandson Bodhi (Continued on page 5) and granddaughter Meijin and mom Lisa Ling. Son‐in‐law is Pawan Patil.

4 Karate BC NEWS championships including the Ling sisters (Rassamee, Tanya, Lisa and We are 40 Mee Lain), Shauna Escher (the three‐ (Continued from page 4) time kata champ) and Sensei Poirier.

Long Term Athlete Development British Columbia’s leadership in the program with Sensei Kraig Devlin. sport has continued through the generations. As president of the National Karate Association (now Karate Canada) Shihan Chris Taneda was six‐time Sensei Johnson accomplished many Canadian champion. changes including changing the Shihan Kaz Hashimoto won Gold in National dan ranking process so that kumite, Gold in kata, Gold in team people outside the major styles of kata and silver in open kumite at the karate could join the NKA. Pan American Championships in He was responsible for having karate 1990 in Rio, Brazil. athletes carded by the federal Hidetada Narumi the founding president of KBC. The Uchiage family has been government, and because of his prominent on the national and activities at the World Karate individual kumite and kata at the international scene. Federation and Pan‐American Karate national championships in the same Federation level, Canada is perceived year. Toshihide Uchiage, the 12‐time as a model of gender equity by the senior Canadian kata champion The first female head coach of a rest of the world. and five‐time Canadian junior provincial team was Nicole Poirier. champion, has medalled at the Karate BC has historically provided She was named Karate Canada senior World Karate Federation and opportunities for women to succeed Coach of the Year in 2013 and Karate Pan‐American Karate Federation in the sport, traditional and social BC Coach of the Year in 2011 and level as well as being a junior PKF conscience aspects of karate, and 2012. and Commonwealth champion. women in this province have KBC female athletes have won many pioneered much of Canadian karate His sisters Hidemi and Sumi Uchiage that is taken for granted today. are also prominent Karate athletes. Both are on the Canadian national KBC was the first to allow females to team, and frequently alternate compete; first in kata, then in positions as the Canadian women’s kumite. national Kata champions. It was female competitors from BC Geoffrey Newall, Jean Newall and (Luba Baron, Marg Bogaert, Paulene John Sawal scored silver, the first Klee of Kitimat) who successfully time Canada has reached a final in lobbied the NKA to allow females to team kata at the Junior Pan‐Am level. compete in kumite. Other national and international The first female kumite champion of champions from BC include Nao the NKA was Paulene Caton (Klee) of Nakatsuka, Don Sharp, Chad Edberg, Kitimat. Serey Sinn, Nancy Sham, Shaun The first national and international Dhillon, Jusleen Virk, Kenneth Lee, (PKF) female official was Molly Hand Valentyna Zolotarova, Nigel (Legge) of BC. Nikolaisen, Victoria Barusic, Cassy Schouten, Bernadette Alvarez and The first female world official was Brendon Ly to name a just few. Norma Foster who is also one of the few competitors to claim gold in (Continued on page 11) Toshi Uchiage — John Barnes photo

5 Karate BC NEWS KBC to seek new Executive Director

By Charles La Vertu Treasurer to ensure the budget is adhered to. Dan Wallis, our executive director for the last several years, would like to • Has cheque signing authority return to retirement, and teaching at for the areas within his/her his Campbell River dojo, and has responsibility. notified the Karate BC board that he • Supervises Karate BC events: will be leaving us at the end of July. works cooperatively with BC Team A request for applications for the coaches, BC Team manager, position of Executive Director will be Tournament Director and others, to going out in the New Year with a ensure all facilities, equipment, travel deadline of the end of April. logistics, documentation and any other logistics necessary are secured A short list of candidates will be for BC Team training, BC Team travel compiled in May, interviews to take to Nationals, BC Team Squad place in June and the successful Selection Tournament, Provincial applicant to start at the beginning of Championships, Karate BC Annual Dan Wallis July. General Meeting; and National Championships when Karate BC is This will enable Dan to mentor the Thank you Dan for your long and hosting. new ED for the first month. faithful service to karate‐do and to Karate BC. • Attends required Karate BC Dan, who served on the board for 16 meetings such as Executive and other years, 10 as president, and as Below is the job description from the committee meetings as required. National Karate Association (now Policy Manual. Karate Canada) president for two • Works with the Provincial years, has been a tremendous asset to Executive Director Sport Advisor to ensure Karate BC is Karate BC and the board and I will in compliance with all policies to miss greatly his thoughtful counsel, • Maintains accurate financial maintain the status as a core sport in his insight and enthusiasm, not to records, including signing off on the BC Winter Games. mention the contacts he has bank reconciliation each month, established over the years. ensuring all reports and records are • Keeps an accurate record of accurately submitted in a timely members. He has been a Karate BC member for manner, and working with the 39 years. • Acts as Karate BC’s liaison with various government bodies, Karate Canada, Pan American Karate Federation and the World Karate Federation.

• Ensures the necessary insurance, loss prevention and disclosure waivers are in place to protect Karate BC.

• Supervises staff

• Provides long‐term planning in the above areas of responsibility.

6 Karate BC NEWS and even the western states. submitted an application – the first sport to do so. Masters The 55+ Games are somewhat limited in time and scope (only BC) At the World Masters Games in (Continued from page 1) but for the Kamloops event we plan Torino, Italy, martial arts featured to make it at least five days: three Judo, Tae Kwon Do and Karate, and compete with others from around days of social and karate specific Karate BC is hopeful a similar model the province at this event. training (weapons, kata, style will be accepted at the Americas Masters Event in Vancouver. We plan to have kumite, kata, and sharing, etc.) plus two days of events such as kata, kumite and weapons. KBC has been involved with the organizers for the last couple of This event will also be divided years in hopes that this concept into novice, intermediate, moves forward and now with the advanced and advanced former City of Vancouver a prime mover, champions categories. the Games will be a GO.

That last category speaks to the Announcement of the 20 sports needs of our elite athletes at this should come early in January. Please weapons kata events in three age group who want to compete let Dan Wallis or Thea Culley know categories: novice, intermediate and against those athletes who are still that you are interested. advanced. at the top of their game. We are hoping for between 40‐80 Karate BC has more than competitors. 540 members in this age group.

There will be no zone The BC Games for +55 is divided into participations. 12 zones, unlike BC Games which is 8 zones. We also have Karate BC It will be an open event which we liaisons for each zone and contact hope will bring participants from details will be provided through an across Canada and even the USA to information package in the New enjoy a summer martial arts Year. vacation in sunny and warm Kamloops. We are just beginning the planning for this event and would love to We are considering making this an know if you are interested. Please open event as well, meaning non‐ feel free to send Dan Wallis a note Karate Canada members might be indicating your interest . eligible to participate.  KBC has applied for admission in the Kamloops Masters Legacy  Sport BC announced it has Logistically and planning‐wise these Games in Kamloops for the 35‐54 partnered with the City of are good events for us. The 55+ BC age group and they have Vancouver to host the Games, Kamloops Legacy accepted our proposal to be Americas Masters Games in Performance Games and the included in its inaugural Masters late August or early September, Americas Masters will take care of Games effective July 23‐26, 2015. 2016. the infrastructure, facilities, etc. for the events. We will supply karate This will be an event of at least And there is the possibility that equipment, officials and participants national scope as we are inviting karate will be included in the and competitors. participation from across Canada, Vancouver games. Karate BC has

7 Karate BC NEWS

Karate kick 4800 metres above sea level! So grateful my sport has brought me to this beautiful place! Competed in the Pan‐American karate championships Valérie’s unforgettable experience

By Valérie Doyon In late August this summer, I took part of the Pan‐American Karate Championships held in Lima, Peru. Being my first competition outside of the country, I was at the same time nervous and excited. I competed on the second day of competition, in the girls 16‐17 ‐59kg kumite division. There were 17 athletes in my division, my biggest division yet. I fought Kelsey Silverman from USA and unfortunately didnʹt win the match. Due to the single‐elimination Valérie and mother Chantal Rousseau at Machu Picchu repechage nature of the event, my opponent did not make it to finals certainly not disappointed with my what I learnt to improve and become and therefore I did not have the performance. a better competitor at my upcoming competitions. chance to fight again. I learnt the different fighting styles (Continued on page 9) As it was my first Pan Am, I was of South Americans and will use

8 Karate BC NEWS Valerie in Peru

(Continued from page 8)

The highlight of the competition was the lively spirit and energy in the stadium. I enjoyed the many cheer‐ offs the Canadian team and I participated in with the other countries. Most importantly, I had the chance to meet hundreds of other athletes from over a dozen countries. With the help of many hand signals, I managed to have conversations with many teens who share the same Valérie Doyon works out with Nicholas Rivest in Lima, Peru passion for the sport. I exchanged various Canadian souvenirs for many t‐shirts from other countries and still keep in touch with a few friends from Chile, Mexico, and Brazil I met during the event. My mother, Chantal Rousseau, and I took the opportunity to visit Peru for nine days before the competition as well. We hiked the Lares trek and visited Cusco, Matchu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, Ollantaytambo and many other small Peruvian towns. I loved the culture and the food was delicious. This trip was an unforgettable experience and has changed the way I see the world. I appreciate much more the luxuries Iʹm granted in Canada knowing that most people like the ones I met in Peru live without running, clean water and electricity. Iʹd like to thank Karate BC and all the amazing BC Team coaches for their continued support in my athletic endeavors throughout my competitive career. (Valerie is a member of the BC and Canadian National teams.)

9 Karate BC NEWS Congratulations

Shakiba Fadaie of the KimNik Shotokan Karate Academy was selected Junior Coach of the Year at the BC Winter Games. She is seen here with Karate BC’s Winter Games liaison Sensei Fernando Correia. “It was such an honour to work BC Team’s athlete representative on the High Performance Committee Derek Chan with an inspiring team of learns how it feels to be the lightweight on Team Canada — at Universum Science coaches/athletes,” she said. Centre in Bremen, Germany. Chan also took gold in the ‐60 kg kumite at the 2014 Mexico Open Karate‐Do Championships in Saltillo, Mexico.

10 Karate BC NEWS Congratulations

Sensei Tom Mah and Sara Grady, married in September

Karate BC First Vice‐President Donna Gardecki demonstrated kata during a lull in the 40th anniversary Provincials

And our officials continue to upgrade their credentials. For We are 40 example, Trevor Walmsley of Shito‐ (Continued from page 5) ryu and Valentyna Zolotarova of Hayabusa Karate obtained their Pan The study of karate requires an American licence at the PKF Senior Matt Bickel who got engaged to Bryanne Folz enormous amount of time. It is a way Championship in Lima, Peru earlier of life that requires perseverance and this year. commitment and, for those who wish We are a volunteer organization and to test themselves against the best over the years our volunteer base nationally or internationally, has increased significantly for which considerable funds with a strong we are grateful. commitment from parents, spouses and friends. Sato sensei points out that there were no fences or walls between all Karate BC is very proud of the the Karate BC dojos and members at success of these young women and the beginning. men, and salutes the hard work and dedication of all our athletes. This is still true, and that has made our association the envy of all The competitions have grown with provincial/territorial sports an emphasis on safety of the athlete associations in Karate Canada. through better, more technical training and coaching and more It is a tribute to all who came before Valentyna Zolotarova for the latest professional officiating. us. addition to her family, Andrew

11 Karate BC NEWS Considering that WUKO (now WKF) had initially added women’s individual kata to the 1980 world championships in Madrid and then added three weight classes of women’s kumite at the 1982 world championships in Taipei, Canada seemed somewhat behind the times.

However, Norma Foster recognized this and started a campaign to increase the numbers of women participating in Karate BC competition, to be officiated by the same level of officials as the men, and Karate BC’s first ladies to have provincial and national team kata and kumite divisions for women. Norma Foster honoured It worked. The finals of the female individual The World Karate Federation has competition at the 1983 provincial acknowledged the achievements of championships was just as exciting, Sensei Norma Foster, one of Karate and ran concurrently with those of BC’s women to fight for inclusion of the men for the first time and women into what was a man’s contained double the number of world. participants. During the 2014 Senior World Kata competition at the time Championships in Germany, she comprised three rounds with received a certificate of appreciation scorecards. If you made it into the “in recognition of over 20 years of second round, the score from the excellence in refereeing and loyal second round was added to that of dedication to the growth and the third and final round and the development of WKF Karate‐Do”. winner was the athlete with the Here is the story of Karate BC’s first highest aggregate score derived from ladies: the last two rounds.

Back in the dark days of the early This meant that if you went into the final round of eight athletes with the 1980s team kata and team kumite officiated at competitions because it lowest score, you were most likely competition for women did not exist was normal behavior at the time for going to finish 8th. in Canada and women’s individual all black belts to help out after their competition at both provincial and competition was over in the Foster proved that was not so by national levels was limited in terms morning. entering the final round with the of officiating quality, numbers of lowest score, being the first to athletes and the absence of weight Of course, all that was needed was perform and achieving a silver classes. a pair of grey pants and a shirt and medal. This showed for the first time tie. Shoes were not needed. No in the history of KBC kata In terms of team events, women women were on the board of competition, that the odds could be could participate only in mixed team Karate BC and no women ran beaten. kata. clubs. (Continued on page 13) Women with black belts usually

12 Karate BC NEWS

exercise the judge licences she had Molly Legge arrived in Vancouver as First ladies paid for and earned twice (once at a 2nd degree black belt from Fort St. the Fukuoka Women’s’ World Cup John and joined Shiseikai. She and again in Mexico City). participated as an athlete in KBC (Continued from page 12) competition in all kata and kumite This paved the way for other How? events and also developed an women around the world who were interest in officiating, becoming the By scoring higher than the athlete interested in officiating to aim as first woman in Pan America to who had achieved the highest score high as they wanted. Ten years later achieve PKF Referee and kata judge going into the final round who in 2000, Foster became WKF qualifications. performed last. That year, Ingrid Referee A and Judge A, another (Bischoff) Sheere took the gold, but first for women and in 2005 she was Molly also spoke Spanish, and many Foster had in fact beaten the gold to the first woman to be appointed to ladies in Pan America today achieve a silver and earn a spot on the the WKF Referee Council, where remember her. Molly became the provincial team along with Luba first female Chair of the Karate BC Baron (Chito Ryu). officials’ committee in the mid 1990s.

nd Thereafter, Scheer (JKA), Foster (JKA) Dulcie Oikawa, 2 degree black belt and Sarah Sato (Shiseikai) formed the (Shiseikai) was the first woman in first women’s kata and kumite the province to establish a karate women’s teams in BC and in Canada club only for women during the mid‐ and then other provinces quickly 1980s. followed suit. This team dominated Suzanne Jean, 1st degree black belt BC and Canadian individual and (JKF Wado Kai) more recently team women’s competition for the established Fit4Defense, a program next three to four years and made a that initially set out to prevent major contribution to the BC overall bullying in schools that has now aggregate outcomes at national spread to group such as seniors, competitions. corporate workplaces, high‐risk Foster went to the 1988 PKF youth, primary and secondary championships in New Orleans to schools and jails. participate as an official and was Karate BC has historically provided appalled to find that she was the only Molly Legge opportunities for women to succeed woman in a room full of people who in the sport, traditional and social had graced many a cover of Black Belt her efforts to render the conscience aspects of karate. magazine. examination process more transparent and objective remain We cannot forget that many At the 1990 WKF world evident to this day. compassionate and visionary men championships in Mexico City she were involved in making that became the first woman in the world More than 20 women now have happen. to achieve WKF judge licences for WKF qualifications worldwide. kata and kumite, at the cost of being Thanks to these circumstances, publicly forced out of the ring by a More recently she was the first women in this province have member of the WKF Referee Council woman in Canada to become Chair pioneered much of Canadian karate because women were “not allowed to of the National Officials’ that is taken for granted today. judge men”. Committee. In her style group, JKF Wado Kai, she remains the only These are only a few stories, but After inflicting such total humiliation, woman in the world to have many more women in Karate BC the WKF RC could not find any rules achieved 7th degree black belt and is have overcome remarkable adversity regarding this issue in their statutes the first woman in Canada to head over the past 40 years simply and they had no choice but to a Karate Canada‐approved style because they are passionate about apologize and permit her to fully organization. karate … just ask them!

13 Karate BC NEWS

Karate BCʹs successful coaching and support team from left: High Performance Committee chair and coach Jason Farquharson, coach Peter Stoddart, Head Coach Nicole Poirier, coach Mike Ditson, coach and team manager Pam Ross, team chiropractor Dr. Bo Gregson, and kata coach Junya Yamamura ‐‐ Sarah Perez photo Year End Review Working together

BC TEAM PROGRAM SEASON 2014‐2015

By Nicole Poirier, Our President may seem to be Committee, the Officials Committee gentle smiling one but somehow he and the Coaching Development Karate BC Team Head Coach has got us all working together and Committee. Have you ever noticed that our it’s showing. There are key people in these President, Charles La Vertu, signs his I feel humbled by all the help and committees that have done formal communications with “In the support received from staff in considerable work in support of the Harmony”? the Karate BC Office, the Executive BC Team. That pretty much sums it all up. Committee, the High Performance Committee, the Tournament Thank you for your cooperation and dedication. You are the team behind the BC Team and your help has pushed us forward to higher levels.

Many of us longtime members have been talking for years about increasing collaboration between committees.

We often spoke of the BC Team program to be a platform of development for athletes, coaches, officials and more.

Since we are working more in collaboration with various committees, our team’s performance Receiving their Karate‐Gi sponsored by Mikado from left are Jacob Mand, Nicolo and development has increased Wakelin (receiving on behalf of his sister Angie Wakelin), Guillaume Claude and (Continued on page 15) Bryana Spur — Peter Stoddart photo

14 Karate BC NEWS team training with enthusiasm the Bucket Challenge. We could have next day. done better but everyone put in a $1 BC Team donation. The coaches approached Guillaume (Continued from page 14) and offered him this opportunity as We did not know until the October we recognized and value his ability training that Guillaume Claude’s I would like to give recognition to our to continue advancing in life, even father was diagnosed with ALS a few trainers/dojo instructors/senseis that though life may seem unfair at months prior his passing. send their students our way. Your times. continuous support and guidance in There’s a video of the challenge that their development is noticeable. Besides recognizing talent for was taken at our September training. competition, we also like to The funds collected were sent to ALS This year in particular, their skills set recognize other talents, such as Canada. is much more refined. Not only the character. long‐term BC athletes but even the Sorry Norma Foster, but you are the young 12‐13 caught our attention. Guillaume Claude is now an active only one that popped up in my head BC Team Squad member. He shows at the time of challenging someone. Congratulations on work well done. up on time, he is focused, eager to Thank you for your donations. You Let’s take a closer look at our season learn and participates with enthusiasm. can still make donations by going to since September before we all take a www.als.ca few days with family and friends for The coaches are pleased to have him the Christmas Holidays. on the squad. Guillaume is a terrific athlete. September Training

Identifying Talent Needless, to say we had difficulties Our first team training highlighted taking good pictures during our two guest coaches. Antonio Oliva Winter Games was this year’s event November jammed‐packed training. Seba, International Kumite Coach, for talent identification Jacob Mand, who has been consulting with BC Angie Wakelin, Bryanna Spur and Team for several years. Edwin Gonzalez were the recipients ALS Canada of free training with BC Team and a Akira Fukuda, USA Team Kata karate‐gi, sponsored by Mikado, for BC Team collected $82 from the Ice (Continued on page 16) the 2014‐15 season.

Other athletes that caught our attention were: Steven Tran, Matthew Cheng, Stephanie Zaborniak, Maansi Virk and Michael Plunkett.

Most of the athletes listed above are now members of the BC Team Squad and some will be attending Nationals in the 12‐13 division and others, the 14‐15 divisions.

As one of our scouted athletes dropped‐out, the coaches decided to give those benefits to another young athlete.

Guillaume Claude was competing at Selections just a few weeks after his father’s death. He competed and he was not selected. He participated at

15 Karate BC NEWS More officials, more coaches, more volunteers and more athletes are involved.

Thank you all for your involvement. Special thanks to Andreas Kuntze, Dan Wallis and Kurt Nordli for all the extra details that needed to be ironed out, there were quite a few of them; and we were able to finish about two hours ahead of schedule. Great work!

The training for October was Dick Grant photo fantastic. BC athletes looked great, Karate BC team member Jusleen Virk finished in the top five in female ‐50 kg displayed a positive attitude and kumite at the Karate1 Premier League ‐ Istanbul Open. Virk came very close to the wanted more. podium, losing her last match against an athlete from Hong Kong by a score of 3‐2. participate at the first team training, Cost Share, Age Eligibility have participated at Provincials in BC Team an elite division and caught the Karate BC made a couple of attention of more than one coach at (Continued from page 15) proposals to Karate Canada. Note Provincials and Team Training. that BC’s relationship with Karate Canada is one of cooperation with Coach, also joined us for the first All coaches chose athletes and then the purpose of development for the time and did a fantastic job working compared their choices to make their greater good for all. with the athletes. final picks. Derek Chan and Sumi Uchiage, HPC Coach Antonio provided us with In order for a “coaches pick” to Athlete Representatives, made a kumite tactics and techniques for make it on the team, this athlete had proposal to Karate Canada. performance in competition and to place in the top two (kumite) or Coach Akira provided training for top three (kata) at Selections. Their proposal was successful and kata athletes, sport psychology and a the cost share this season is $200 as takedown seminar for kumite However, once placed in the top opposed to $600. Derek and Sumi athletes. results, the “coaches pick” athlete worked on their proposal while had to challenge whomever was travelling to World Championships. The visit of these two guest coaches placed in the top at Provincials and They are definitely Elite people not benefited athletes and coaches. We had made Squad. are following through with their just athletes. recommendations. We did not need to run any Most Provincial Sports challenge matches at Selections. It Organizations followed age During September training, the HPC really brought the best out of our eligibility guidelines of last year decided to open up the floor for best and provided additional during their selection season. additional “coaches picks” to experience for athletes who were participate at Selections. selected as “coaches pick”. As the age eligibility was changed

As the coaches never really took after most had made their selections, it affected a few of our athletes and advantage of the additional coaches Oct. Selections, training picks as indicated in the BC Team probably other Canadian athletes. Handbook, we decided to try this out Our Selections used to run on one Karate Canada considered our and see what would transpire from ring. This year, we had three rings. proposal and re‐instated the Age that experience. Eligibility based on last season’s This is a good indication of the (Continued on page 17) The criteria: A “coaches pick” must expansion of the BC Team Program.

16 Karate BC NEWS BC Team

(Continued from page 16) grid. We don’t know if this age grid will remain for 2016.

12‐13 Youth Cup Challenge

BC Team Coach Mike Ditson put hours of work in the coordination required to run a 12‐13 Selection. We Head coach Nicole Poirier addresses team— Peter Stoddart photos conducted a 12‐13 Selection at the end of our November training. cooperation from the Officials challenge. Committee and their continued They showcased great talent and kept effort in making our BC Team a All BC coaches ran segments of the the audience entertained. The strong one. training, all did a great job and the athletes enjoyed the variety of selected athletes in the 12‐13 will be attending Nationals and participate trainers. in the 12‐13 Youth Cup Challenge, a Coach Evaluations Thank you Donna Gardecki and Ali new trial division for Nationals 2015. Najafi, NCCP Evaluators, for being We had evaluators come to our there and guiding us. November training. Three of our New WKF rules coaches went through Competition We will be running additional Introduction Evaluations. coaches evaluation at our next team The Officials Committee training in January. implemented the new WKF rules This was a first time event for BC during the 12‐13 Selections. Team and it went well.

The purpose was familiarization for Having evaluators coming to BC Officials Clinic athletes, coaches and officials. Team training boosted the coaches training output. Our January training will be in We are staying on top of things and conjunction with an official clinic keeping current with the evolution of Really it’s awesome, it keeps us on Jan. 10, 2015. This will allow for our things. Coaches are pleased with the our toes and it brings in an exciting officials, athletes and coaches to be more prepared for Nationals 2015.

In conclusion, our season so far has been a bit overwhelming in terms of preparation.

Fortunately we have several people on board that work hard and help us achieve what may seem impossible. Outside of getting work done, we also have a ton of fun when we gather up at events.

Fun, sounds very much like a symptom of harmony.

Coach Mike Ditson 17 Karate BC NEWS Sato Cup Another Successful event

By Andreas Kuntze Tournament Director The Sato Cup held on 15 November 2014 was another successful event!

Many thanks go out to our main sponsors: Mikado, Bushido Martial Arts, Churchʹs Chicken, Glico, Dan‐d‐ Pak and Dr. Wilson Kwong.

Many thanks as well to our volunteers ‐ once again we had over 100 signing up for a t‐shirt.

This year, our event was somewhat smaller, but we had athletes from all over BC, some from Japan and of course a number from Washington State and Oregon. Masters Grand Champion Rita Becker of Taneda Karate received her trophy from Shihan Akira Sato who will be marking his 45th year in Canada next year The Sato Cup was retained by Team BC this year, and team members took to display in the dojo! Please donʹt Of particular note, the Odokan dojo temporary possession of the Sato Cup lose it, as we want it back. :) from Vancouver took home 3 of the 5 grand champion trophies: Senior Male Athlete Kenneth Lee, Senior Female athlete Monika Yu and Junior Female Athlete Darby‐Anne Heenan.

Such dominance must be challenged!! The Sportsmanship award was won by Evan Kwong.

Next year, in conjunction with the Sato Cup, we are celebrating Sato Shihanʹs 45th year in Canada, so we anticipate more participants from Japan, Australia and possibly Europe.

Please set your calendars for the 14th of November 2015 for next yearʹs Sato Sensei with junior grand champions Khyber Barnett and Darby‐Anne Heenan event.

18 Karate BC NEWS

We are proud of our junior officials who were out in full force for the BC Winter Games earlier this year. Petition calls for karate’s inclusion in 2020 By Nick Butler to Tokyo 2020 are not yet clear. members from both Houses of InsidetheGames.biz Parliament. Dec. 16, 2014 But the World Karate Federation (WKF), in coordination with the The petition, submitted via the A petition has been set up calling for Japan Karate Federation (JKF), has website change.org and signed by karateʹs inclusion in the Tokyo already stepped up its campaign, WKF President Antonio Espinós and Olympics following the approval of gaining support from various local JKF counterpart Takashi Sasagawa, Agenda 2020 proposals for a more groups, including the Nippon Budo‐ has at time of writing gained more flexible sports programme. kan and Japan Budo Association. than 13,000 signatures.

Like many other sports, karate has They are now working hard to ʺIn order to publicise the been boosted by the plans, which lobby the All‐Party Parliamentary overwhelming wave of passionate saw the 28‐sport cap on the Group for the Promotion of the vocal support for karate to the programme lifted, although the Tokyo Olympics 2020, which has Olympics to the world, as well as in practical repercussions with regard been set up with more than 110 Japanʺ, it urges, ʺwe would like to ask your full support for and cooperation with this online signature‐collecting campaignʺ.

The sports seen as most likely to be added to the programme in Tokyo is baseball and softball, due to their huge popularity in Japan, although karate, along with the likes of squash and skateboarding, are others with serious aspirations.

No timeline has yet been set as to when new sports will be added and confirmed, although it is possible a decision could be announced during the next IOC Session, in Kuala Beaver Valley Chito‐Ryu Sensei Scott Hutcheson has started a new club in Rossland Lumpur next July.

19 Karate BC NEWS

Ken Corrigan, left, tapes Warren Grafton while Keith Nakashima works on Gino Tomasino Sport Med BC conducts Concussion Management, Athletic Taping course

By Ken Corrigan These courses were a great asset to our anyone to partake should the instructors and I would encourage opportunity present itsself in your area. The instructors from the Nechako Karate Club in Prince George participated Dec. 13 and 14 in a Sport Smart: Concussion Management and Clubs not registering in 2014/15 Athletic Taping course put on by Sport Downtown Shotokan Karate Club (location closing) Med B.C. Kitsilano Karate Club (closed; may re‐open in the future) These courses were being sponsored by Pender Island Shotokan Karate Pacific Sport, with instructors from Tsawwassen Shotokan Karate Sport Med B.C. Yama Neko Dojo

The course content involved up‐to‐date New Clubs 2014/15 prevention techniques and tactics for Lax Kw’ Alaams Karate Club, Port Simpson – Wade Wilkins youth in sports, with the aim of Rossland Traditional Karate – Scott Hutcheson providing the skills and resources required to create a safe sporting environment and the latest medical information on concussion (risk factors, prevention techniques and equipment).

The most current assessment The Board of Directors and Staff techniques including the SCAT3 and of Karate BC wish you a Merry the on‐field resource Pocket SCAT2 Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, were reviewed. Joyeux Noël, Joyous Kwanzaa, The Athletic taping course was an eight Happy Holidays and a healthy, ‐hour course providing hands‐on lessons for taping techniques (ankle, prosperous and happy New Year. foot, wrist, elbow and thumb).

As well, at the end of the class the instructor took the time for the Nechako Karate Club to cover taping of injured toes.

20 Karate BC NEWS Karate BC annual awards

Rita Ngo of Kingsway Shito‐Ryu, Female Grand Champion

Karate BC President Charles La Vertu presented the junior female athlete of the year award to Alexandria Zaborniak Ali Najafi, KimNik Academy, Coach – High Performance

Arash Beytoei of the Burnaby Karate Academy, Male Grand Champion

Shakiba Fadaie, KimNik Academy, Inspirational Athlete Warren MacLean 2013 KBC Official of the Year

Khyber Barnett of Kimeru Shotokan Karate ‐‐ 2014 tournament Junior Sportsmanship award

Laura Spencelayh received the Sponsor KBC Officials Committee chair Paul of the Year award on bealf of Special T Kamelia Fard, KimNik Academy, Sexton presented the tournament Group Events Coach – Grassroots official award to Richard Mosdell

21 Karate BC NEWS Karate and Kudu in South Africa

By Rob Walker lions, elephants, rhinos, crocodiles, A seven‐person Kimura Shukokai – ostriches, giraffes, kudus and much Canada West team travelled to South more. Africa in July for Kimura Shukokai International’s 17th biannual World Following the safari, we spent a Tournament at the Sun City Resort, couple of days in the Johannesburg north of Johannesburg. area, including a visit to Nelson Mandela’s former home in Soweto Team Canada West was composed of and then headed to Gordon’s Bay, seven people from Vancouver Island south of Capetown where a beautiful including Sensei Norman Ensil from beach‐front house was our base of the Sooke Dojo and Senseis Rob and operations as we explored wine Sarah Walker from the Westshore country, penguin colonies and Dojo. endless, fabulous beaches. The first day of the tournament is South Africa is a beautiful and always a training day and Rose and Rob Walker on training day diverse country with incredible approximately 700 people enjoyed natural resources and beauty but it is learning from our four World Chief optimizing our techniques from our also a place of startling contrasts Instructors – Shihan Bill Bressaw World Chief Instructors and to between rich and poor, high (USA), Shihan Eddie Daniels begin our exploration of the unemployment and a lot of crime. (England), Shihan Chris Thompson country. (South Africa South) and our host, South Africa is a beautiful country We met many wonderful people and Shihan Lionel Marinus (South Africa and a group of us immediately they all shared an underlying sense North). headed off on a three‐day safari in of optimism as they re‐build their The second and third days were Pilanesberg National Park to rainbow nation 20 years after elimination days for Kata (pre‐ immerse ourselves in its iconic apartheid was ended. We look arranged forms) and Kumite wildlife. forward to the next South African World Tournament, coming up in a (sparring) divisions. The safari was tremendous as we few years in the Capetown area. The much‐anticipated final matches got up close and personal with for all 49 divisions were held on the fourth day. Then it was time for the wrap‐up party and our many good‐ byes. The competition is always tremendous but, unfortunately, Team Canada West failed to win a medal for the first time since 2006. Several team members went well into the elimination rounds but Rob Walker was the only one to compete for a medal, losing his match for a bronze medal in Kumite to a competitor from England. The tournament gave us a chance to catch up with our international karate friends, to learn new ways of Zebra foal in Pilanesberg National Park 22 Karate BC NEWS Congratulations

Sensei Donna Gardecki of West Coast Gojukai, second left, competed with Team Kataclysm in Tough Mudder June 21 & 22, 2014 at Whistler. The course was 19 km of running with obstacles throughout and took their team 4.45 hours to complete. Nathan Dong of the Hayabusa Karate Club, the 2014 kata champion at the Shotokan Pan‐Am in Mexico

Nanaimo Shotokan Karate‐do

John Funk, Seamus Clark, Alexandra Hamilton on passing Shodan Renshikan Karate Kamloops Annie Slizak, Shodan; Chris Wilkinson and Chris LeClair – Nidan Westshore Kimura Shukokai Karate Rob Walker, Sandan Shima Karate in Nanaimo Twelve karate‐ka passed to their next level in International Karate Do Gojukai Association. Pat Audet, Shodan; Mike Michaud, Scott Zmaeff, Bernadette Alvarez and Shahil Lal, Nidan‐ ho; Becca Evenson, Erik Kuehnel, Hannah Jones, Steve Thomas, Danny Bristol, Richard Cooper and Dayton Popham, Kyell Erickson of Campbell River Shito‐Ryu and his band on winning at least 18 hours of recording at a studio in Vancouver. Who is Barbosa has been performing Shodan‐ho. together since 2012, playing various venues and festivals

23 Karate BC NEWS BC Represents Canada well at Junior Pan American Championships The competition truly brought the East and West together. The team members from across Canada worked as one team cheering each other on, bonding both in and outside of the arena and generally setting up a spirit of cohesion. The team played, ate and trained together. Although, Co‐Captain Tan Nguyen overall, Canada did not do particularly well, some of the best moments came from BC’s Tan Nguyen and Khyber Claudia Laos Loo Barnett. each other with their back and forth other experienced Canadian Tan was given the honour of being cheers and songs. competitors to lead Canadian selected Co‐Team Captain. He did a cheers from the US Seats. great job of leading cheers and At one point, the US team (all in the keeping the team cohesive. spirit of fun and play) stole the The competition began with great Canadian cheer that was created by promise and excitement as Khyber Canada and the US showed their Tan, causing Tan and some of the Barnett was victorious (4‐1) against strong friendship by playing with Peru in the first match of the competition. Khyber was eventually knocked out of medal contention in a 2/3 split decision in favor of Ecuador. Excitement built again as Tan won match after match to miss making it to the podium with a loss to Peru in repacharge. Team members from BC also included Terrance Chan, Claudia Laos Loo, William Wright, Thanu Vasanthakumar, Shalene Lee, and Valérie Doyon. BC officials in Lima included Valentyna Zolotarova and Trevor Walmsley, 2nd right 24 Karate BC NEWS Karate BC Represented at West Coast Open Nineteen Karate BC athletes headed to the West Coast Open in Tacoma Washington on Sept. 27‐28. This annual tournament attracted some of the most accomplished Canadian and American athletes including recent participants in the Jr Pan American Championships from both countries (Team Canada ‐ Khyber Barnett, Thanu Kumar, and Shalene Lee) including Kiel Higgins (USA), a Jr World Championship bronze medal winner, and more recently, Jr Pan American Gold medal Khyber Barnett, Thanu Kumar, John Sawal, Shalene Lee and Sensei Brian James winner (Kata 16/17). home 23 medals that included 11 Shalene Lee: 16/17 girls advanced ‐ Many attendees participated in Gold, five Silver and seven Bronze Gold; 18‐34 womenʹs advanced ‐ Kumite workshops conducted by in divisions ranging from beginner Gold; WKF female (12‐17) ‐ Gold three‐time World Kumite Champion to masters. Elisa Au Fonseca. Jithu Kumar: 10/11 girls beginner ‐ The KBC athletes’ standings were: Bronze Sensei Brian James (Kimeru Shotokan Karate) and Sensei Valentyna Kata Trang Pham: Women’s Masters ‐ Zolotarova (Hayabusa) attended as Khyber Barnett: 16/17 boys Bronze advanced ‐ Gold; 18‐34 menʹs officials. Darbyanh Heenan : 16/17 girls advanced ‐ Silver; WKF male (12‐ Sensei Matt Bickel (West Van Karate advanced ‐ Bronze; 14/15 girls 17) ‐ Gold; Team Kata advanced ‐ Academy) accompanied a team of advanced ‐ Gold; WKF female (12‐17) Gold kumite athletes as coach. ‐ Bronze John Sawal: 18‐34 menʹs advanced ‐ The athletes from British Columbia Kumite Gold; Team Kata advanced ‐ Gold were clearly there to make a Darbyanh Heenan 14/15 girls statement. Thanu Kumar: 14/15 boys advanced advanced ‐ Silver ‐ Bronze; WKF (12‐17) ‐ Silver; Shalene Lee 16/17 girls advanced ‐ The 19 BC athletes collectively took Team Kata advanced ‐ Gold Gold Kyle Macmillan 16/17 advanced ‐ Bronze Joel Tai 4/15 boys advanced ‐ Silver Rishi Sharma 10/11 boys advanced ‐ Silver Josh Noble 10/11 boys advanced ‐ Bronze. Also taking part were Casey Fraser, 10/11 boys intermediate; Mark Wong, 12/13 advanced; Michael Plunkett, 12/13 advanced; Gur Hothi, 12/13 advanced; Masaki Soehardhi, 14/15 Advanced; Jai Sanghara, 16/17 Advanced; Rika Wong, 16/17 Advanced; and Sarah Perez, Khyber Barnett at the Jr Pan Am Championships Lima, Peru Women’s Open Advanced.

25 Karate BC NEWS about the BC Games Core Sport ʺThe BC Games is a huge event for us Policy, zone realignment, and and through our involvement we are Karate at the registration fees. seeing great improvement in our coach certification and officials’ The responsibilities and development,” said Wallis. BC Games opportunities for coaches at the BC Games were also presented along Every two years the BC Games with information about BC Games Society hosts a meeting with our BC medals, awards, and bursaries for Summer and BC Winter Games athletes. Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) partners. Dan Wallis from Karate BC presented how their organization The purpose of the meeting is to has adopted the BC Games zone provide PSOs with information about model to streamline the Games operations, to share best development of their sport practices and processes established provincially. by PSOs, and to engage in discussion to assist the BC Games Society in At the Games, Karate BC’s junior planning and policy development. officials and junior coaches program has been very successful and allows Representatives from 31 Provincial young participants to stay involved Sport Organizations gathered on in the sport for a longer time. October 30 and reviewed information

Arash Beytoei of Burnaby Karate Academy brought home bronze from the 2014 Pan American Sports Festival in Tlaxcala, Mexico, a vast multi‐sport event assembling the continent’s best athletes in preparation for the 2015 Pan Am Games. Karate Canada sent a team of six athletes and emerged from this tournament with no less than four medals. They were accompanied by National Team Coach Kraig Devlin. Sensei Paul Sexton (Chair, KBC Officials Committee) recently passed his Rokudan (6th degree black belt) grading at a Whistler Training Camp. Grading examiners were Shihan Tak Sameshima (8th Dan) ‐ Chief Instructor Gima Ha Canada, Shihan Ikuo Higuchi 9th Dan ‐ Chief instructor of the Gima Ha Association in Japan and Sensei Robert Sidoli, 6th Dan (GSK) ‐ Chief Instructor Gima Ha UK.

26 Karate BC NEWS Karate‐manga Victoria author pens new series

Sonny Leads is a black belt with something to prove to himself, and to the world. Heʹs oozing with talent, but he canʹt seem to put it together when it matters most. So he takes the advice of a coach and follows his dream to train with the best in Japan.

Before anything can go right, though, Karate BC member and author Richard Mosdell on book tour in Florida everything goes wrong. In the dojo. Does Sonny have the fighting spirit At his new Japanese home. Even in front of a cute university student named Haruka. needed to survive Japan? Heʹd better. Because real karate isnʹt for pretenders. This the first volume in a new series written by longtime Japan resident Richard Mosdell (5th dan JKF Wadokai), who now lives in Victoria, and illustrated by Genshi Kamobayashi (3rd dan Shotokan and Japanʹs leading karate‐manga artist). The story is a realistic portrayal of the karate scene in Japan, and explores the challenges foreign karate athletes From left: Terrance Chan, Claudia Laos Loo, William Wright, Thanu encounter when choosing a dojo, Vasanthakumar, Khyber Barnett, Shalene Lee and Valérie Doyon making Japanese friends, working in Japan, living in a Japanese homestay, and navigating the intricate network Karate BC Represented at Training of Japanese karate organizations. Camp for Junior Pan American (Volume 1 includes a bonus section featuring a directory of karate organizations in Japan, a glossary of Karate Canadaʹs 2014 edition of the Canada), and informative translations of the Japanese sound Junior National Training Camp took workshops / conferences on High effects in the book, and an essay on place on July 4 to 6 in Toronto, and Performance, sports nutrition, Long coaching high school karate in Japan.) assembled over 55 of our nationʹs top Term Athlete Development, Junior Junior karate athletes. National Team programs, physical preparation, and specific training This high‐energy event also included plans leading up to the upcoming such great segments as a Judo cross‐ 2014 Cadet & Junior Pan American training session with Coach Pedro Karate Championships. Guedes (Judo Ontario and Judo

27 Karate BC NEWS karate class itself – with an emphasis on “proper manners” and the like – Taneda said seemingly minor things can make a difference. As an example, he pointed to the shoes that were lined up neatly outside the gymnasium at the Joseph Dugas school. Clinic participants had removed them prior to entering the gym, where Taneda was conducting his session, and they were arranged in an orderly fashion. “This is a little thing, but those little things go into the way we treat each other and into the community,” he said. Referring to the sessions he was conducting during his Nova Scotia visit, he said, “What we really want Chris Taneda (left) works with Milton Bourque (right, foreground) and others out of this is that people take that during a karate session Nov. 22 in Church Point. — Eric Bourque photo good behavior and it becomes part of their life outside, and if that happens – to me – you’re adding to society in a Karate ‘etiquette’ focus of good and positive manner.” Taneda, 58, became involved in karate sessions with Chris Taneda in 1974 and has been a multiple national and world champion. He has among themselves, changing Yarmouth County Vanguard two children who are black belts and positions within the group after By Eric Bourque who also live in B.C. Dec. 1, 2014 doing so. The drill was about thinking ahead. Milton Bourque, sensei with Mukashi Among the things you might not Karate, was among those who “It’s forward‐thinking,” Taneda expect to see at a karate clinic are welcomed the chance to take part in explained, “because what you have people tossing a basketball around, Taneda’s sessions and hear what he to do is you pass the ball and then but then Chris Taneda says he likes to had to say about etiquette among you have to move … It’s about being try different ways of getting his point other things. across. aware.” “He’s very knowledgeable … he The idea of thinking ahead, of being Taneda is a seventh dan (or seventh‐ helped us a lot,” Bourque said. “He aware, he said, was part of a broader degree black belt) in Chito‐ryu karate didn’t have any trouble keeping theme he was focusing on during his who lives in British Columbia and he people’s interest when he was going Nova Scotia visit. was in Nova Scotia for a few days to around. He’s very captivating.” work with some karate clubs here. “It’s actually about proper etiquette Taneda – whose visit was sponsored and about how it relates to what we After a couple of days in the by SouthWest Dental in Yarmouth – do in our karate,” he said. “There’s a Yarmouth area and sessions with the was asked about the popularity of relationship between the senseis and Mukashi Karate club, Taneda was in karate. Church Point, home of the Bushino‐Ki their students.” “In B.C. there’s lots of clubs,” he said. club, which is where he took a few Aside from what happens during the “I believe there’s lots of clubs here too. moments to explain what the Some clubs sort of get to a point where basketball drill was about. they just sustain the same (numbers). I For this particular exercise, the would say within our association, our participants were divided into groups, own organization, the growth is where they passed the ball quickly gradual.”

28 Karate BC NEWS Live streaming sports fills niche

ViaSport transmits video from events that wouldn’t otherwise be broadcast BY GARY KINGSTON VANCOUVER SUN NOVEMBER 21, 2014 If you were living in Iceland or Bermuda, Fort St. John or Gander, N.L., for the past year, and had Internet access, you could have sat at your laptop and watched more sports from Metro Vancouver and Victoria than you ever thought possible. You could, of course, also have done it from a False Creek condo or a four‐ Karate BC was one of the first provincial sports organizations to take advantage of bedroom home in Burnaby. this new service. Here Sensei Kenny Lim provides colour commentary. But the point is that technology, neither the resources nor the evolving viewing options and keen from B.C. — 70 per cent from Canada inclination to fully serve amateur interest in getting a sport or game — but people from 97 different sport. broadcast have created a world where countries have watched at least part if it’s played or contested anywhere, it That broadcast void has been filled of one event. can be watched somewhere. in part since February 2013 by ‘Social enterprise’ ViaSport, the 2010 Olympic and Everything from pro beach volleyball Paralympic legacy organization that “What are people drawn to? Videos,” in Kitsilano to velodrome cycling in was established in 2011. With a $17‐ says Bill Woodley, ViaSport’s vice‐ Victoria to the pee wee, bantam and million‐a‐year budget funded president of business development midget lacrosse nationals in New primarily by government, its and operations. “They love videos. Westminster to a world martial arts mandate is to provide sport It’s why companies are building championship in Richmond was leadership and to encourage smart TVs that go to online available in 2014 through live increased levels of physical activity programming.” streaming by ViaSport. across the province. ViaSport calls its coverage of events Throw in indoor sport climbing, the ViaSport TV, the organization’s in B.C. a “social enterprise,” with the national karate championships, the broadcast arm, has streamed 18 production done at no cost to Pacific Rim gymnastics events from B.C. this year — three provincial or national sport championships, the Canadian rowing that were international in scope, six organizations. championships and Stanley Park national championships and the Open tennis and it was nirvana for “A lot of groups we work with remainder either western Canadian sport junkies and a godsend for simply couldn’t afford to pay to have championships, provincial grandparents, aunts and uncles who their events online,” says Adam Fritz, championships or local might be a mountain range or ocean ViaSport’s marketing director. competitions. removed. Coverage can range from a one‐ Live viewership hits totalled 163,074 In an era when TSN now needs five camera, one commentator production for those 18 events. Total national channels and Sportsnet six to more elaborate, multi‐camera feeds viewership, which includes people channels (two national and four with a commentator and analyst. later accessing archived material, is regional) to accommodate all its 332,633. Two weeks ago, the organization programming and regional interests, the cable sports networks still have Forty‐one per cent of viewers were (Continued on page 30)

29 Karate BC NEWS dropped by CIS a few years back. He also has contracts with Volleyball Live streaming Now some CIS conferences do their Canada, Rugby Canada and Softball own production. Canada and has live streamed events (Continued from page 29) like Canada Cup wheelchair rugby One of the other pioneers of live from the Richmond Olympic Oval undertook its most ambitious project streaming of sports in Canada was and last summer’s world wheelchair to date when it broadcast Rowing Choyal Brown, a former Capilano basketball championships in Canada’s national championships on Toronto. Elk Lake in Victoria. It was the first time nationals were live streamed. His price for cash‐strapped sports organizations is considerably “It was a learning curve for all of us,” cheaper than the networks. Brown says Woodley. “We said we want to says Softball Canada wanted CBC to make this look as interesting as cover the playoff round of the junior possible. men’s worlds held in Whitehorse this “We didn’t have the $80,000 to put a past summer, “but just to move the zoom camera on a cable over the lake (broadcast) truck there, without any … but we rented a crane to get a high production or people, was going to view, put people in boats with life be $100,000. jackets and camera gear. We got good “I told them that for a quarter of that, feedback. We gave a real live view I could do all 60 games, every single into what goes on at that event … not game.” just a dot rolling down the rowing course. We brought that into Brown says his hope is to “break Tarrah Harvey interviews Shalene Lee somebody’s home.” even for a few years,” and build the viewing numbers big enough to start Annabel Kehoe, Rowing Canada’s College basketball player who attracting corporate sponsors. director of business development, launched SportsCanada.tv in says the competitors were excited to December 2008. Some sports organizations in B.C. have the competition live streamed, Conceived initially to broadcast have even taken to doing their own “but the most positive response was local college sports, Brown live streaming, most notably Skate from family and friends, especially essentially did it as a hobby for the Canada BC/Yukon, where executive the ones of athletes from outside B.C. first few years while he worked at director Ted Barton is an enthusiastic proponent. His organization made “For us, it was a fantastic service.” Basketball B.C. Now, having invested $250,000 into equipment its first equipment purchase of The commitment to that service was and technology, he has one other $25,000 four years ago and had it cemented in September when full‐time employee and has some 50 paid off in six months. ViaSport hired Dave Stewart, who Canadian colleges on board. “We were looking at ways for kids in has worked with numerous broadcast small communities around B.C. to companies at 11 Olympic Games, as And SportsCanada.tv, which has visually see what kids their own age executive producer of ViaSport TV. live streamed the B.C. Boys AAA basketball championships for a few were doing. That little girl in Terrace “We are the tipping point of years, launched a high school might watch (Olympic medallist) something big for sport in our network this week. Joannie Rochette on TV and say ‘I province, and there is no doubt our can’t do that.’ But if she sees another Alberta has been the most live‐stream programming will thrive girl her age in Vancouver (on live enthusiastic, but Brown also expects under his leadership,” says ViaSport streaming) doing stuff, she’s thinking B.C. High School Sports to get more CEO Cathy Priestner‐Allinger. ‘I can do that.’ of its championships broadcasts and More sports involved Ontario and Manitoba are also keen “And we’ve had parents and to get involved. grandparents writing us from all The Ontario‐based Streaming Sports over, thanking us for doing this so “My vision is to have every single Network, which broadcast university they can see their kids or grandkids high school championships on one sports, was one of the first companies network,” says Brown. (Continued on page 31) in Canada to live stream, but was

30 Karate BC NEWS

Karate club wins big Kaigan Seikokai Karate

COAST REPORTER DECEMBER 4, 2014 On Nov. 15, members of Kaigan Seikokai Karate in Roberts Creek competed in the annual Sato Cup karate tournament in Vancouver — a premier martial arts competition for the Pacific Northwest region. Pictured back row left to right: Caio Machado (bronze, Kata), Dallas Grieve (bronze, Kumite), Lazar Williams (gold, Kumite); front: Brody Mills (silver, Kata) and Hana Hall (silver, Kumite). For club info, see http://kaigan‐ seikokai.com.

working side‐by‐side in February at both English and French. Woodley Live streaming the Canada Winter Games in Prince says he’s reaching out to media George. The largest multi‐sport schools in Quebec to see if they have (Continued from page 30) event in Canada is expected to interest in supplying students. attract some 3,000 athletes in 19 “This is not cheap labour to do what develop in the sport. I’ve never seen sports. such heartfelt messages.” we want to do,” says Woodley. “It TSN is the network broadcaster. But provides opportunities for students to Canada Winter Games Brown’s organization will be gain real world experience.” showing all competition except the Woodley says ViaSport’s goal is ViaSport was encouraged by Barton’s skiing, while ViaSport and BCIT will break even on its live streaming by success and now has invested some partner to produce a 30‐minute, building up enough viewership to $200,000 in equipment, the biggest magazine‐style show online for the attract advertising and sponsorship. cost being an $80,000 TriCaster, a Games’ 18‐day duration. The BCIT desktop‐size video production studio students will be actively involved in RBC became the first company to get that can connect up to eight live creative content. on board when it advertised during cameras while also mixing audio and coverage of the rowing nationals. graphics. “The way I would describe it is Entertainment Tonight meets Woodley and Fritz also say demand Like SportsCanada.tv, ViaSport often Sportsdesk,” Woodley says of the for the service right now is greater uses students from the BCIT program. than ViaSport’s ability to supply. broadcast program to run the “There are so many events that occur cameras and do the announcing. He says it will focus on what in B.C. every year, we could never Students are paid an honorarium and athletes, coaches and volunteers do come close to meeting the demand,” can use whatever footage they shoot behind the scenes during the Games, says Fritz. for classroom projects. what’s going on in the village and what kind of legacy the Games will “There are so many events looking While ViaSport has taken some leave in Prince George. for this kind of service.” events away from SportCanada.tv, the two organizations will be There will be 30‐minute shows in [email protected]

31 Karate BC NEWS BC Coaches Week Profile: Nicole Poirier, Karate

BC Games News my day. I love seeing them growing September, 2014 up.

British Columbia Coaches Week is Do you have a particular coaching style? September 20‐27. An initiative of I have a holistic approach to my ViaSport, this week focuses on the coaching for the development of recruitment, development and body, mind, spirit. Humour and celebration of sport coaches with laughter is definitely part of the events around the province. package when coaching. In honour of BC Coaches Week, we wanted to introduce and profile some What is your coach certification level? of our BC Games Coaches. I have completed the Competition Development modules. Prior to the The BC Winter and BC Summer new NCCP, I completed NCCP level Games are an important part of BC’s 3 and with this I am able to coach athlete development pathway, but Provincially and Nationally. the Games also provide an important I also completed the required grading opportunity for coaching I have a background in Education with World Karate Federation to development including earning with a major in Psychoeducation, I coach internationally. certification, attending coaching have a counselling background clinics, and learning from other which I find helps me with my What was your favorite memory from the coaches around the province. coaching to Elite athletes. BC Games? Provincial Sport Organizations like I am currently the Head Coach My favourite memory of the BC Karate BC have made the BC Games Karate BC. The reason why I opted Games was to see all athletes of all an important part of their coaching for coaching is due to my own sports getting on buses, being fed and development where young coaches personal experience as an athlete lodged for four days and going to can learn from experienced coaches and want to lead and support compete in a province wide event. like provincial team coach Nicole upcoming athletes. What a great experience for these Poirier. I am also passionate about karate young people in preparation for

and I really donʹt see myself doing National and International Question and Answers with Nicole anything else and to be honest it competition. Poirier does not feel like work most of the time. What were you able to learn from other How many BC Games have you attended coaches at the BC Games? as a coach? That working together in the I attended four BC Winter Games, development of athletes will reach two as a zone coach and then for the greater success than working alone. past two Games as a scouting coach for the BC Team Squad. How is coaching at a multi‐sport Games Since 2012, Karate BC has used the different from a single sport event? BC Winter Games as a platform for What is your favorite thing about Although we always have our gym, Talent Identification. coaching? during downtime or days where we My favourite thing about coaching We select four athletes (two males are not competing, we were able to is setting goals, training for and two females) and we invite them go see other sports. competition, and evaluating the to train for free with the BC Training One sport that really intrigued me progress. Squad in preparation for Nationals. and totally enjoyed watching was I have my own karate club and (Continued on page 33) Why did you choose to get into coaching? children bring me so much joy in

32 Karate BC NEWS little bit more emphasis. Wright shows well in Peru Unfortunately he didn’t win.”

By Emanuel Sequeira “At the end I’m not sure what Penticton Western News happened.” Sept. 18, 2014 Wright and his opponent were tied 1 Will Wright didn’t place in the 2014 ‐1 at the end and tie breakers are Junior Pan‐American Championships decided by the official, who makes a karate competition in Lima, Peru held decision based on a set of criteria. in late August. Yet, he still performed The official went with the Peruvian. Wright was then knocked out of well in the eyes of his sensei Chris competition when the Peruvian he Taneda and instructor Mike Ditson. “Fighting a guy from Peru, when lost to ended up competing for a you’re in that situation, you can’t bronze medal. “I thought he dominated probably the really leave it in the judge’s hand,” first three quarters of the fight,” said said Taneda. “You have to put a Had he advanced to the gold medal Taneda, who watched it on the Internet. bout, Wright would have been able to compete again. Wright was also part of the Canadian kumite team, but didn’t compete since the first two External Sport Credentials Program Canadians lost their matches.

Grade 10, 11 and 12 students can earn credits toward graduation “When I looked at the competition, through the Athlete, Coach and Officials External Sport Credentials Will was definitely in the middle of program. Athletes competing at BC Games, Western Canada Summer things,” said Taneda. Games, North American Indigenous Games, Canada Games and other national and international competitions could be eligible to earn four “I think for Will’s first time at an international event like that, I’m credits per year per program involvement. really proud of the way he did.”

for Canada and BC. In 2011, Victoria grow my karate school, and continue Nicole Poirier Barusic was the only athlete who developing the BC Team program. represented Canada at

(Continued from page 32) Commonwealth Championships in Australia and returned home with a Tell us about the photo you submitted for Gold medal as well. I have so many this profile. wheelchair basketball. great memories that I could probably This picture is one of my favourites. On the left is Pat Grant The other thing is to witness the write a book on this! from Ontario. We are just walking off amount of Winter Games athletes a the ring after Pat won the Gold medal opening and closing ceremonies. Do you have a coach mentor? at Pan American Championships in I had many mentors in my Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico in 2011. What has been your best success in development. At the moment, my This photo was taken by Dick Grant, coaching? mentor is Antonio Oliva Seba who is Patʹs father, who always tags along One of my best memories is coaching a world known combat and tactic and travels internationally. He fills his Pat Grant who won the Pan American expert. He is an International coach time taking numerous photos from all Championship Gold medal in Mexico that I have been learning from since the events and provides memories for in 2011. Also, winning a few Coach 2008. all to view for free. Thanks to Dick of the Year Awards in BC and Canada Grantʹs abilities to capture the wide. Another great moment was What are your next goals as a coach? moment, this picture is indeed one coaching Jusleen Virk who won a Jr. that has marked history in Canadian Pan Am Gold medal in Chile in My next goals are to continue taking karate. 2009. I have coached great athletes the multi‐sport module with NCCP,

33 Karate BC NEWS New website launched to help recognize concussion signs in kids

By Sheryl Ubelacker Babul, a sports injury specialist, said record information to show medical The Canadian Press she had been getting calls from professionals. The site is organized July 29, 2014 parents saying their child had hit into six learning modules, each of their head while riding a bike or which is followed by a quick multiple TORONTO – Deciding whether a playing hockey but had been told by ‐choice quiz. child may have sustained a an emergency department doctor: concussion while engaged in play or “Oh, he’s just had a bonk to the READ MORE: Panel finds helmets, sport can be difficult because tell‐tale head. He’ll be fine. Just go home.” mouth guards don’t prevent symptoms may not show up right concussions ‐‐ http://globalnews.ca/ away. But a new online resource “And those news/407569/panel‐finds‐helmets‐ aimed at parents and coaches could calls started mouth‐guards‐dont‐prevent‐ help make that determination a whole getting concussions/ lot easier. more numerous,” CATT also includes short videos for The Child & Family Research Institute she said children and teens with stories of at BC Children’s Hospital has Monday young athletes who have had launched a website called from concussions and advice about safe the Concussion Awareness Training Vancouver. play in contact sports like hockey, Tool (CATT) (http:// “And I football and rugby. www.cattonline.com/), which flags thought the warning signs of concussion and there’s “A lot of (online) tools that are out explains what steps need to be taken obviously a Dr. Shelina Babul there are simple slide‐decks for to diagnose and manage the all‐too‐ disconnect reading,” said Babul. “We wanted to common brain injury. somewhere because patients are move away from that just because we getting the wrong information from were hearing, you know, ‘I like to Shelina Babul, associate director of the their health‐care provider. And watch, I like to listen.’ So we BC Injury Research and Prevention that’s a problem.” combined all that into a learning Unit at the hospital, spearheaded the platform.” development of the CATT website, Babul and colleagues developed which started last year with an online CATT, a free website that is updated Often a when a child or teen takes a tool to help health professionals to monthly to provide the latest hit to the head while playing sports, better recognize and treat concussion. evidence‐based research on they are pulled to the sidelines to be concussion, which occurs when the checked out but put back in the game The second phase of the site’s brain is rapidly shaken up inside the if they don’t seem to exhibit overt development – tools for parents, skull following a hit to the head or a symptoms of concussion. players and coaches – has now gone blow to the body that causes a live, and the third phase for teachers sudden jerk of the head or neck. “But signs and symptoms may not is expected to go online in the fall. appear for up to 48 hours,” said The site, which has also been Babul, putting the player at risk of a READ MORE: Canadian docs release designed to be accessible through second and more serious concussion. 1st national guidelines on smartphones and other devices, concussion in kids ‐ (http:// provides information about When a concussion is suspected, the globalnews.ca/news/1415057/ concussion and tools to help parents player should be taken out of play canadian‐docs‐release‐1st‐national‐ and coaches decide how to respond and receive immediate medical guidelines‐on‐concussion‐in‐kids/) to an injury, track symptoms, and to (Continued on page 39)

34 Karate BC NEWS Karate students pile up medals

Staff Writer Penticton Western News Kyokushin Karate members performed well at a B.C. Open tournament winning seven medals. They are as follows: Jasmine Howarth bronze; Brice MacKay gold; Kal Nov 6, 2014 Kozakevich bronze, Audrey Gosse silver; Connor Black silver; Brandon Potter silver; The Taneda Karate Dojo piled up Kevin McCall bronze. medals on the weekend during the B.C. Karate Open tournament held at Tynybayeva, two silver, Takeshi Taneda said competing in the the Penticton Lakeside Resort and Smith, silver and bronze and Alex tournament helps gain more Casino. Wensley, silver. experience and see the different style of karate. Of the 148 medals given out, 65 went William Biro, silver, Kurtis Marsden, to students of the Taneda Dojo, giving silver, Brett Michaud, two bronze, “It kind of opens their eyes up and Owen McRann, two bronze, Paige they get to see different ways, people Clifton, bronze, Akira Mori, bronze, are doing different things in kata,” Ho Won Lee, bronze, Jodi Bartier, said Taneda. bronze, Marcus Bartier, bronze and Micka Becker, bronze. He also said the students learn more and ask questions to get better and Tavian Gaudiuso of Summerland discover the qualities of one style them first place in the medal earned bronze in kata and kumite as over another. standings. did Spencer McRann in kata while winning gold in kumite. Taneda said there were great “That’s good,” said sensei Chris performances by many competitors. Taneda, who was unsure of the Members for 40 number though he tried to do his own Also competing were members of count while walking around. “We years in Karate BC Penticton’s Kyokushin Karate had quite a good tournament.” Club. All seven of its members won medals. Among the winners from Penticton Chris Taneda and Summerland were Katie Becker Rick Chernoff Winning gold was Brice MacKay, with two gold medals, Simonka Akira Sato while silver medals were earned by Audrey Gosse, Connor Black and Slizek, gold and silver and Declan Ray Wong Riddle, gold and bronze. Brandon Potter. Earning bronze Chee Ling medals were Jasmine Howarth, Kal Caitlyn Riddle, gold and bronze, Ken Corrigan Kozakevich and Kevin McCall. Jacob Slizek, gold, Aquiles Downer, Fernando Correia gold, Ben Say, two silver, Jessica James Johnson The tournament attracted between Michaud, silver and bronze, Rosa 160 to 170 athletes.

35 Karate BC NEWS NWSK bring home 15 medals from BCʹs

KEN ZAHARIA intermediate kumite division with 14 Other medalists from team NWSK CAMPBELL RIVER COURIER‐ other competitors. include: Emry Clark, bronze boyʹs ISLANDER kumite 7 and under; Barnes bronze JUNE 11, 2014 He was challenged each round but boyʹs 10‐11 advanced kata; Scott was able to come out on top in three silver girlʹs 8‐9 advanced kumite, The Northwest Shito Kai Karate of his four bouts loosing the gold silver 11 and under weapons kata (NWSK) competitive team was at the medal match by only one point. and bronze individual kata; Liam Richmond Olympic Oval for the 40th Gauthier bronze 11 and under The NWSK kata team of Alexander Annual Karate BC Provincial weapons kata. Movold, Jenna Scott and Kyle Barnes Championships. finished first out of 12 squads with a Other NWSK team members who The event drew over 500 athletes stellar performance and some of the had brilliant performances but just from all over the province and highest scores awarded in the missed the medal podium were: NWSK did Campbell River proud. tournament. Nolan Field 8‐9 novice kata and 11 and under team kata; Quinton Darcy Movold also competed in the boyʹs Fourteen NWSK athletes had an 8‐9 novice kata and 11 and under 10‐11 advanced kumite and kata incredible showing finishing eighth team kata; Owen Tomlinson 7 and divisions where his whole hearted overall, out of the 50 plus clubs who under kumite; Nolan Barnes 8‐9 efforts earned him two bronze were in attendance, with several intermediate kata and kumite. personal bests achieved, not to medals. mention an impressive medal count Team NWSK is now focused on This was Movoldʹs fifth Provincial of 15 which included four gold, four preparing for the 2014 Shito Ryu Pan championships and his best silver and seven bronze. American Championships which will be held in Cancun, Mexico Aug. 9‐10. Gracie Dashkewytch, in the girlʹs 8‐9 age group intermediate kata (synchronized forms) division, won a gold medal.

In the kata event, performances are Wood third decided by judges holding red and performance to date. blue flags while the athletes do their at Provincials routines simultaneously, each athlete Ethan Gauthier earned himself a silver medal in the boyʹs 7 and under wearing either a red or blue belt. CAMPBELL RIVER COURIER‐ all belts division after loosing a close ISLANDER At the end of the performance the match to his final opponent from JUNE 13, 2014 judges then vote on their athlete of Vancouver. choice and the majority vote wins The Northwest Shito Kai Karate Zachary Rosenthal came out on top and moves forward. (NWSK) competitive team had in both of his events earning incredible success at the 40th Annual Dashkewytch had three matches in Provincial gold medals in the menʹs Karate BC Provincial Championships her group of 14 and each match she 17‐20 kumite and kata divisions. as was reported in Wednesdayʹs won decisively with never a flag Courier‐Islander. against her. This was Rosenthalʹs first Provincial championship and only his third One athlete was left out of the story This was her third Provincial competition in his karate career. and that was Daniel Wood who championship and her first placed an impressive third out of 18 Provincial title. ʺZach is an athlete with great talent and potential, he is definitely a other competitors in the boyʹs 10‐11 Wyatt Ramos fought his way to a hopeful for team BC one day,ʺ said age group in the Kata division. silver medal in the boyʹs 8‐9 NWSK sensei Nigel Nikolaisen.

36 Karate BC NEWS Martial artists score big at Karate B.C. provincials

Nikkei and Burnaby Karate Academy 68kg and Nikkei’s Miho Kataoka in women’s plus‐68kg. dominate advanced/black belt age groups the black belt open weight division. and weights at recent Richmond Isabel Chan won the 16/17 advanced competition Kataoka also placed third behind plus‐48kg sparring, over finalists BKA’s Gurkamal Gill and women’s Vanessa Vung and Vickie Gialleli of TOM BERRIDGE division winner Anisha Virk at u‐ Nikkei. Chan also won the 18 to 20 u‐ BURNABY NOW 55kg and in the 18 to 20 u‐60kg 53kg over Gill. JUNE 19, 2014 kumite. Chan was third in women’s u‐50kg

Kataoka also placed third alongside sparring as well. Aresh Beytoei won two black belt finals at the Karate B.C. provincials at Nikkei’s Claudia Laos‐Loo won the the Richmond Olympic Oval earlier 16/17 advanced kata and was third in this month. u‐53kg kumite behind BKA’s Rika Wong and Zoe Ye. Natasha Harland Beytoei won both the men’s black belt also placed third. kumite or sparring titles in under‐67 kilograms and at open weight for the Zoe Fong and Stephanie Zaborniak Burnaby Karate Academy. placed first and second, respectively, in 14/15 advanced sparring. BKA martial artist Isaac Mand was a Victoria Barusic of Burnaby in the triple gold medalist, winning the 16 black belt and third again in 18 to 20 Pawan Sidhu and Aya Kitaoka were and 17 advanced u‐61kg, the 18 to 20 women’s kata or forms. also one‐two in 16/17 advance advanced under‐68kg and the men’s kumite. u‐60kg black belt finals. Barusic, who trains at West River Karate in Vancouver, won the 18 to Alexandra Zaborniak won the 16/17 Brendan Ly won the men’s plus‐84kg, 20 advanced kata, as well as u‐50kg gold at u‐59kg. while also placing second in the 18 to women’s sparring. 20 advanced plus‐78kg final. Angelica Gomez‐Lalonde and Cassia Harpreet Sidhu won both 18 to 20 Kitaoka both placed in their Jai Sanghera and Kyle Macmillan advanced plus‐60kg and the respective 14/15 weight classes. both won their respective 16/17 advanced u‐68 and u‐78kg sparring divisions. Tai Joel was runner‐up to Mand in the teen kumite final and a Call for Score Keepers winner at 14/15 u‐57kg.

Jacob Mand won the 14/15 u‐63kg and Time Keepers kumite, while Parris Gill placed third. We are looking for Junior and Regional Officials who would be willing Arjun Gill, Kieran Quan and Masaki to volunteer at the score tables at the 2015 National Championships. Soehardhi also placed top three in 14/15 kumite. Because of your expertise in karate competitions you are a huge asset to us. Nikkei Shito‐Ryu silver medallists in advanced black belt Matthew Chang You will be given free access to the Championships, front row seats, was second at 18 to 20 u‐78kg, while and provided with meals. Andrew Jones was runner‐up in 16/17 If you are interested in getting involved, please fill out our online plus‐76kg. registration form and indicate you are an Official in the comments field. In women’s sparring, BKA’s Cindy Jacobs beat clubmate Kim Logan at u‐ https://docs.google.com/…/1‐W2000w65n3‐iQZ‐vhooH9P…/viewform

37 Karate BC NEWS Beaver Valley Karate Championships and Clinic

Rossland News Nov. 6, 2014

Saturday, October 4, 2014 the Beaver Valley Karate Championships took place in the Fruitvale Memorial Hall.

Both the Beaver Valley Chito‐Ryu and the new Rossland Chito‐Ryu Karate Dojoʹs members participated in the Novice Kata Division from Buckland who won Bronze, Silver in a Registered Amateur Sport the BV Dojo Evrik Bergstrom won went to Meagan Campsall and Tournament to decide who claim the Bronze for 4th place, Rosslandʹs Tyson Nelson won Gold. title of “the best in the Valley”. Cristobal Ruiz won Bronze for 3rd place, Cooper Reed won Silver and In the Black belt Kata duel, Sensei Attending the Shiai were some very Emily Gardner won the Gold Roberts and Sensei Scott came to a special guests from across the medal. Hikiwake. Kootenays and from the Okanagan. In the Intermediate Kata Division Winning the Best Male athlete Sensei Maurice Doucet from BVʹs Dawson Stemler won Bronze award with two Silver and two Gold Castlegarʹs Shotokan Karate Dojo, for 4th place, Andrea Buckland medals was Tyson Nelson, winning Sensei Roberts from Salmoʹs won Bronze for 3rd place, Tyson the Best Female Athlete with three Shotokan Karate Dojo and our Nelson won Silver and Meagan Gold Medals and one Silver Medal honoured Guest Sensei Chris Campsall won Gold. was Meagan Campsall and winning Taneda, 7th Dan Chito‐Ryu and the most coveted of prizes this year, seven‐time National Kumite In the Weapons Kata Division a Playstation4, with unanimous champion all attended the event. Andrea Buckland won Bronze, votes by all the Judges was Meagan Tyson Nelson won Silver and Campsall from the BV Chito‐Ryu “Thanks to a grant from the Meagan Campsall won her second Dojo. Columbia Basin Trust administered Gold medal. by the Regional District of Kootenay On Sunday we had a Clinic with Boundry we had a very successful In the Team Kata Division Team Sensei Taneda and five hours event,” said tournament organizer Buckland with LilʹJess, Lohan, and training with him was a privilege. Sensei Scott Hutcheson. Andrea who won the Bronze medal, Team Rossland’s Pablo Coming together to train were “The metrics which I base that on, is Rivas, Tobi Hillis, and Cristobal students from the Beaver Valley, witnessing the progress of those Ruiz who won the Silver medal Castlegar, Rossland and Salmo focused enough to practice more and BVʹs Team Tyson Nelson, and dojos. intensely on their training to achieve success for a specific event on a This shows that training in authentic limited timeline. traditional karate is a very social thing to do as well as an activity that “To see students try competition for provides exercise, sport, self‐ the first time and some to try defence, art and culture. Kumite who may never have otherwise done it unless in a For more information about The BV friendly competitive environment Meagan Campsall who won the Chito‐Ryu Dojo call Kelly with BV where safety was paramount, thatʹs Gold medal. Rec. 250‐367‐9319 or the Rossland priceless.” Chito‐Ryu Dojo call Robin & Pam In the Kumite Division, all fighting with Rossland Rec. 250‐362‐2327. Competing in their first tournaments for their first times, were Lohan

38 Karate BC NEWS That could mean persistent Canada and beyond.” Concussion symptoms that can include headaches, dizziness, light and noise READ MORE: Mood swings, (Continued from page 34) sensitivity, disturbed sleep, memory loss first symptoms of brain depression and poor concentration. disease in hockey, football players – attention to confirm the diagnosis, she said. If it is a concussion, the young (http://globalnews.ca/news/793690/) “I frequently say, ‘Would you rather person will need to rest both be out for two days or for two physically and cognitively for a Dr. Paul Echlin, a sports medicine months or for two years?”‘ said period of time before being cleared to specialist and researcher who has Babul, referring to players who may gradually return to play and learning. long treated patients with concussion, balk at being sidelined so they can said having government‐supported be medically assessed for possible READ MORE: Even without online information “is awesome.” concussion. concussion, head injuries still affect learning, memory, study warns – “It’s already out there, but you can “The goal of this tool kit is to give (http://globalnews.ca/news/1023879/ always use more,” Echlin said from parents and coaches quick and easy even‐without‐concussion‐head‐ Burlington, Ont., where he practises. access to accurate, up‐to‐date injuries‐still‐affect‐learning‐memory “It’s non‐biased, non‐commercial information so they can be confident ‐study‐warns/) (and) the more discussion, the more they’re giving kids the best possible information out there, the better. care for the best possible recovery,” “Eighty‐five per cent (of concussions) she said, noting that the site is resolve without long‐term “Concussion is epidemic and it is funded by the B.C. Ministry of consequences. But if it’s not managed important for government to take the Health. “We hope it will become a properly, you could have long‐term public‐health rein and use all the resource in every home and at every consequences.” resources possible to alter the course sporting event in B.C., across of this (injury).”

39 Karate BC NEWS Shito Ryu celebrates anniversary with another successful tournament

By Mike Davies Campbell River Mirror Oct 21, 2014

The 10th most practiced sport in the world, ahead of both golf and baseball in participation levels globally, karate was again celebrated in our community last weekend, this time at the Campbell River Community Centre.

“We had 104 people from all over come to participate,” said Roy Tippenhauer, sensei of the Shito Ryu Karate Club, who hosts the annual tournament, known as the Challenge Cup.

“Everyone seemed to have a great time. I look around and see all the smiling faces … and I know it went well.”

This year was the tenth annual Challenge Cup and the move to the Community Centre from the various school gymnasiums around town that had hosted it in the past was a natural one, according to Tippenhauer. One of the teams of 14‐15 year‐old girls, who came up from Nanaimo to participate in the 10th annual Challenge “It’s a fabulous venue,” he said. “Because it’s a community Cup, perform a demonstration of team kata for the crowd event, we’d been wanting a community venue for a while. If between other events — Mike Davies/The Mirror the tournament gets much bigger, we might have a hard time hosting it there, but for now it really works well for us.” “It’s the kids I’ve seen go from a shy child to an adolescent or adult with confidence and contributing The Shito Ryu Club had impressive results at their own to society,” he said. tournament, as well. 47 of the 104 competitors came from the home dojo, and took home 50 awards, including 18 gold, 13 “Whether they stay in the sport is irrelevant, but what silver, and 12 bronze medals. they learn through karate – such as confidence and self‐esteem – will always be with them. Fourteen of their group who did not win awards nevertheless achieved personal bests. “Too much emphasis is placed on winning today and not enough on developing and learning to have the Despite having ten confidence needed to succeed in all parts of life,” he national champions added. from his dojo over its The club would particularly like to thank the Karate 30‐year span and BC certified and trained officials who attended the regularly feeding tournament, and the volunteers who made the event students into the possible. provincial and national tournaments (they currently have four students on the provincial team), Tippenhauer said his “We would also like to thank the parents of members biggest accomplishment is the confidence gained by those and the members themselves for the continuous who study with him. support of our discipline,” Tippenhauer said.

40 Karate BC NEWS

A karate trip of a lifetime, representing Canada in Mexico Campbell River Courier‐Islander Aug. 20, 2014 By Ken Zaharia

Five members of the Northwest Shito Kai (NWSK) competitive karate team experienced the opportunity of a lifetime representing Canada at the 16th Shito Ryu Pan American Karate Championships in Cancun, Mexico, Aug. 6‐10.

The five young athletes, Liam Gauthier, Jenna Scott, Alexander Movold, Daniel Wood and Kyle Barnes, had trained hard all year with this competition on the top of their priority lists.

ʺNeedless to say, all their dedication and hard work definitely paid off,ʺ said NWSK) sensei Nigel Nikolaisen. ʺEach athlete had one of their best performances to date during these ʺKeep your eye on this girl, she has a championships with some very commented Nikolaisen who very bright future ahead.ʺ impressive and decisive victories accompanied his five athletes to Mexico. over tough international competitors When it came to Gauthier, he was from other countries such as Mexico, Scott then met a fellow Canadian faced with very tough adversaries in USA, Venezuela and the Dominican from Quebec in the final where she his first two rounds of Kata where he Republic just to name a few.ʺ also won with a 5‐0 majority using came out on top with 3‐2 victories in both matches. In his gold medal The competition drew over 300 her favorite Kata Shisochin. match, after a stellar final competitors from 16 countries. In Kumite (fighting), Scott fought performance, he wound up with the Gauthier and Scott, both nine years of her way to the gold medal match silver medal after a 3‐2 loss to a age, were up first for the club. The and again wound up facing a fellow competitor from Mexico. mornings all begin with the Kata Canadian from Quebec. She was In his Kumite, Gauthier had a very (forms) event, where athletes perform able to come out on top in the match strong opponent first round. He stood their routines side by side, red vs. earning herself her second gold in there well, scoring very clean blue for a panel of judges. Upon medal of the day. points but wound up not wining his completion of the patterns the judges ʺThis was Jennaʹs second showing at match and was eliminated. then vote either red or blue as the the Shito Ryu Pan Ams and her victor of the match. second time with a double gold ʺNonetheless his performance was his best to date without a doubt and now In Scottʹs first match she met a performance,ʺ said Nikolaisen. he has shifted his focus to his blue competitor from Mexico. After a very belt which he will be graded for next solid performance she came out on week,ʺ said Nikolaisen of Gauthier top with a convincing 5‐0 victory. who began karate in 2011 at the age of ʺAnd that pretty much set the pace five. for her all the way to the final,ʺ (Continued on page 43)

41 Karate BC NEWS Students schooled in karate ability Cowichan News Leader Pictorial was their first karate ʺOnly a small percentage of our school actually Jun 12, 2014 tournament,ʹʹ noted FCSKʹs competes and for those that did, we are so proud.ʹʹ By Don Bodger Loretta Schwab. The other students who train so diligently were a ʺFor the seasoned athlete/ valuable asset to the school, being supportive at Competing at home obviously competitors, they all had a the tournament and in the dojo,ʹʹ she indicated. appealed to a great number of great time and the results Fernando Correia School of Karate show.ʹʹ FCSK results were as follows: members. Kyden Huntley — silver, boysʹ seven years and Most of the FCSK under white to yellow belt kata. A tournament at the Island Savings competitors placed in the Josh Mayea — bronze, boysʹ seven and under Centre in Duncan was well‐ top four. white to yellow kata. attended, with about 100 competitors from around the ʺWe are very pleased and Mitchell Lindstrom — gold, mixed nine years and Island. proud of all the training and under white to yellow kata. effort out students put into Madeline Hart — silver, mixed nine years and ʺIt was an exciting day for a lot of preparing for the under white to yellow kata. the athletes, as for a lot of them this tournament,ʹʹ raved Schwab. Michael Lindstrom — bronze, mixed nine years and under white to yellow kata. Brody Cooper‐Simpson — bronze, mixed nine years and under white to yellow kata. Stephanie Lindstrom — gold, girlsʹ nine and under orange to green kata.

Mia Stewart — silver, girlsʹ nine years and under orange to green kata. Paige Hart — gold, girlsʹ 10‐11 years orange to green kata; bronze, girlsʹ 10‐11 orange to green kumite. Tyler Mayea — gold, boysʹ 10‐11 white to yellow kata; bronze, boysʹ 10‐11 white to green kumite. Charlie Morris — gold, boysʹ 10‐11 orange to green kata.

Josh Luby — bronze, boysʹ 10‐11 orange to green kata; silver, boysʹ 10‐11 white to green kumite. Arjan Manhas — bronze, boysʹ 10‐11 blue to brown kata; bronze, boysʹ 10‐11 blue to brown kumite. Joe Luby — gold, boysʹ 12‐13 orange to green kata. Talon Hird — gold, boysʹ 12‐13 orange to green kumite.

Jacob Marcelic — silver, junior 12+ long weapons; gold, junior 12+ short weapons; silver, boysʹ 12‐13 blue to brown kumite. Josh Fernandes — silver, boysʹ 16‐17 blue to black kata; bronze, boysʹ 16‐17 bblue to black kumite. Taka Maruntani — silver, menʹs 18+ brown to black kata; gold, menʹs 18+ brown to black kumite ‐75 kg; gold, menʹs 18+ brown to black kumite. Team Kata Juniors — gold, Fernando Correia School of Karate. Fernando Correia School of Karateʹs Jacob Marcelic 42 Karate BC NEWS meet and put his best effort ʺKyle had the toughest draw out of NWSK in Mexico forward,ʺ said Nikolaisen. the three boys and worked very hard (Continued from page 41) to earn his placings. Though he did ʺThough he did not medal, itʹs safe not win the gold medal he set out to say this was one of his best In the 10‐11 boyʹs division, NWSK capture his amazing heart and solid performances at a competition so was represented by Movold, Wood determination are something to be far in his very young career.ʺ and Barnes, all 11 years of age. This very proud of.ʺ was the biggest junior division in the Barnes missed the medal rounds in Movold started his day with three competitions with 24 boys in the Kata by a single flag. solid Kata performances and wound group. up facing a very tough adversary ʺHe was quite disappointed after from the Dominican Republic in the In the kata event Wood had an his first decisive victory but was not gold medal match. In the end he unfortunate stumble in his first hindered by the early elimination in wound up losing the match 4‐1 and match. Though the performance was Kata when it came time to fight,ʺ settled for the silver medal. solid enough to still earn him two added Nikolaisen. out of the five votes available, he was ʺIt was a brilliant showing in Kata for eliminated early. But that didnʹt Barnes had three matches into the Alex,ʺ said Nikolaisen. hinder Wood in Kumite. medal rounds not having one point scored on him. He would meet the He had three matches into the Movold carried the same tenacity eventual gold medalist in the from Kata into the Kumite event quarter‐final, putting on quite a show semifinal losing his match by one where he worked his way through for the judges with patience and point to place third. four opponents and earned himself a athleticism. Unfortunately Wood spot in the final where he met an missed the medal rounds after losing ʺIt was a tough loss to take for Kyle athlete from Mexico. When all said his match to the eventual gold because if he would have won he and done Alex wound up losing the medalist. would have been facing teammate match and won his second silver of Alex Movold in the gold medal the day. ʺDaniel rose to the occasion at this match,ʺ said Nikolaisen. ʺFor all but Jenna Scott this was the Three Nanaimo karate club first International competition outside of BC,ʺ explained Nikolaisen.

athletes receive their black belts ʺThese five kids are what karate is all about and they would love to thank Nanaimo Daily News ʺThese students have showed the their community for all support they July 10, 2014 true karate spirit, even through received.

their schooling years, by mastering Three athletes with the Nanaimo the art of Karate Do, training three “The list of sponsors is vast and the Shotokan Karate‐Do club are the nights a week in the dojo and at amount of support invaluable. Thank proud recipients of their first‐degree home on their own,ʺ said the clubʹs you Campbell River!ʺ black belts. secretary and treasurer, Cindy The club would also like to thank the Beaulieu, in an email to the Daily Seamus Clark, Jonathan Funk and band THEO (Derek Lorentz, Gerrit News. ʺThey started at a young age Alexandra Hamilton received their Dooris, Tom Skillman and and realize how karate has made Shodan, first‐degree black belts after Nikolaisen) that played at their beer them stronger in many ways.ʺ a gruelling exam in the areas of burger fundraiser. movement, sparring and The four competitors have trained combinations. under the clubʹs sensei, Nairn The club also announced that Jessica Sempel. Burgoyne passed her second Kyu Nanaimo Shotokan Karate‐Do club brown‐belt exam ʺwith flying has a 47‐year history in the colours. Harbour City.

43 Karate BC NEWS Campbell River Shito‐Ryu shines at BC champs Campbell River Mirror Antonia Bellefluer and Valerie Doyon June 5, 2014 competed with impressive results. Karate BC hosted its 40th anniversary provincial championships this Brake unfortunately didn’t make the weekend at the Richmond oval in team as she was ill and couldn’t reach Richmond and athletes from her personal best at this tournament. Campbell River Shito‐Ryu attended with impressive results. Osstrosser competed in the 14‐15 kumite (sparring) division fighting to In the recreational category held on a bronze medal. He had also recently Saturday Zasi and Christina competed at the BC Winter Games in Tsymshychin competed and both the 12‐13 division and had moved up achieved a personal best in their to the 14‐15 division for this respective category. tournament.

Zasi in the 8‐9 intermediate and Bellefluer competed in the 16‐17 Christina in the 10‐11 advanced brown black kata and kumite division. Neither came out with a division and received a 3rd place medal but were happy to achieve finish in kata. She lost her final match their PB. and placed 5th in the kumite division.

In the girls 12‐13 novice division Doyon competed in the 16‐17 kata Lucy Vi received a silver medal in and minus 59 kg kumite division kata, and, not to be outdone, her placing third in the kumite division sister received a silver medal in kata Cody Chamberlin and third in the kata division beside and a gold in kumite. Antonia. Club karate instructor Roy Julia Beaton received a silver for kata Tippenhauer said, “I was so In this kumite division, Karate BC has and a silver in kumite. David Jordan impressed by Cody’s work ethic over three athletes who were top five at Laing competed in the adult men’s the last couple of months. Coming the Karate Canada National intermediate division and came out from winter games and not placing championships held earlier this year with a silver in kata. motivated him to improve and he with Doyon taking a silver at that certainly did that. event. Also on Saturday, a standout for this tournament was Cody Chamberlin “I don’t emphasize winning as our On Sunday, Doyon made her way who competed in the 12‐13 advanced goal but rather personal best. He did through the draw and faced her rival (brown black) kata and kumite that. Congrats to Cody” Lee Shalene behind whom she placed (sparring) division. at the national championships. She On Sunday, the B.C team fought a fabulous fight pushing Chamberlin recently competed in the preliminary tryouts were held with Shalene to her limit. BC Winter Games and didn’t medal four people from Campbell River but was motivated to improve. He Shito Ryu competing. Doyon lost the match and settled for was rewarded on Saturday with a 5th a much deserved bronze. Doyon also Casey Brake, Calen Osstrosser, place in kata and a gold medal in challenged up in the 18‐20 black belt kumite. division where she got gold in the kumite division. You couldn’t wipe the grin off his face or off his proud parents faces Advancing to the BC team squad either. (Continued on page 45)

44 Karate BC NEWS Karate student Coast students earn medal cruises to at Karate provincials provincial gold Coast Reporter Penticton Western News June 12, 2014 Jun 10, 2014 By Emanuel Sequeira Students from the local

karate dojo in Roberts Members of the Taneda Karate Dojo Creek returned home with put on a show at the B.C. provincial karate championships at the Richmond several medals from the Olympic Oval May 31‐June 1, picking 2014 Karate Provincials up 33 medals, including nine gold. held in Richmond May 31 and June 1. Will Wright won two of those gold medals in the kumite divisions. Caio Machado, Taysha “It was fun,” said Wright, who gave Grindon and Lazar Williams of green‐kumite divisions. up just two points in the tournament karate sensei Dallas Grieve qualified against one opponent in the senior for provincials this year through the Grindon qualified for the women’s division. black belt kumite. She came just zone five qualifiers’ tournament. “I fought pretty well. I beat everyone short of earning a medal. in both divisions by a spread of eight The two divisions for sport karate (automatic wins).” are kata and kumite. Kata is a set of Williams competed in a U21 regulated moves to the air middleweight division and the men’s Wright, who is competing in the Junior demonstrating power, agility, speed lightweight division, bringing home Pan Am Games in Peru at the end of and control. Kumite is essentially a bronze medal in each division and August, said the championship wasn’t sparring with a point system. earning a spot on team B.C. for the overly competitive, but it still gave third season in a row. him an idea of where his training is and what he did well. Caio, age 14, qualified in a kata and kumite division, bringing home a Overall, the experience and results Other club results included Jodi Bartier bronze medal in his 14/15‐orange/ were beneficial for the entire dojo. bringing home a gold medal in kata and bronze in kumite. Taylor Hunter A tournament will be held on Oct. 18 also brought home a bronze in kumite. Campbell River to celebrate this event. Many Taneda karate students are from (Continued from page 44) students have gone on to national Penticton, Summerland, West Kelowna and international tournaments and and Kelowna. The 33 medals by the from Campbell River Shito Ryu are have travelled all around the world club included two silver and 12 bronze Osstrosser, Bellefluer and Doyon, with karate tournaments. medals. final selection will take place in the “I would also like to congratulate all “I think we did really well. We have a fall. the Karate BC athletes from other lot of good up‐and‐comers,” said clubs in Campbell River who Wright. Doyon will be heading to Lima, attended this tournament. Peru this August for the PKF Pan “Vancouver Island is a powerhouse American karate championships. for karate talent and the club Next year will be the Campbell instructors are doing a great job with River Shito Ryu’s 30th anniversary their groups,” said Sensei with Sensei Roy Tippenhauer Tippenhauer who is Vancouver starting the club in 1985. Island Karate Society head coach.

45 Karate BC NEWS U12 Skills Challenge at the 2014 Provincials

The event and circuit were primarily organized by Donna Gardecki and run by five other volunteers. There were two to three people overseeing each station.

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