Ian MacDonald photo Tournament — CS4L style

By Katie Thomson karate skills and provide a positive appropriate to their age and have fun, competitive experience for all were achieved with flying colours. The West Coast Gojukai Club hosted participants. BC’s first karate skill competition “Innovative stations, intense, March 2 in Coquitlam based entirely Cumulative points from all five inclusive, lots of laughter, and general on the Sport for Life’s Long events determined placing from 1st agreement that this kind of event fits Term Participant Development to 4th. Awards were also given for the LTPD model and I will certainly (LTPD) Model. Best Effort, Best Sportsmanship, Best encourage this kind of event for other Decorum, Most push‐ups and Best Karate BC clubs,” Karate BC Instead of having the kids compete push‐up technique. The main goals, Executive Director Dan Wallis said. using the same format used for for the kids to enjoy 60 – 90 minutes older, experienced athletes (single or of activity, be challenged at a level Thank you to Chief Instructor Donna double elimination – a few minutes Gardecki, Tournament Director Susan of activity followed by hours and Canadian kata champ Lees and all of the dedicated hours of waiting for the next match, Toshi Uchiage volunteers who have embraced the if you were successful in your first future of karate competitions in does it again — for the 16th one!) this competition involved five Canada and for making this event a time. See pages 18, 24, 26 events designed to help develop huge success! (See pictures page 8)

Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 President’s report Changes on the way 225 ‐ 3820 Cessna Drive Richmond, BC V7B 0A2 For Karate BC t 604.333.3610 f 604.333.3612 By Charles La Vertu who won e [email protected] President, Karate BC his 16th www.karatebc.org national On behalf of the Karate BC board of gold in EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE directors I’d like to congratulate Head kata. Coach Nicole Poirier on her being President: Charles La Vertu named Karate Canada coach of the Dick Grant, [email protected] year. while not

being from This is a goal she has been working BC, 1st Vice‐President: towards for 20 years. (See page 4) ensures we Jason Farquharson get great Also bringing home to BC major [email protected] pictures of our athletes as they awards from were Shaun compete around the world. He was Dhillon, senior athlete of the year as 2nd Vice‐President: awarded Karate Canada’s top well as sportsman of the year (See award, the Ross Rumbell Award, for Kurt Nordli page 30); and Geoffrey Newell, junior services to karate. [email protected] male athlete of the year. (See page 28) (Continued on page 3) And congratulations to Toshi Uchiage Secretary: vacant

In Memoriam Treasurer: Ken Corrigan [email protected] Karate BC was saddened to learn of the passing of our former secretary Dr. Leslie Bowers who died Feb. 15. Membership: Andreas Kuntze

A national and international referee, Leslie was awarded Karate Canadaʹs [email protected] prestigious Ross Rumbell award last year, which underlines the exceptional contribution of volunteers to Canadian Karate. Directors‐At‐Large: Rick Penner A member of the Canadian Zenkuren Wado Kai Karate Association, he [email protected] was founding president of the Wado Karate Association of Canada.

Donna Gardecki Karate BC Affiliations: Coaching Association of BC [email protected] Karate Canada The Canadian Olympic Association Pan‐American Karate Federation Noreen Yeomans BC Recreation and Parks Association [email protected] Canadian Sport Council Newsletter Editor: Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Charles La Vertu Development

2 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 President’s Report Board retreat AtOur the newProvincials home

(Continued from page 2) The Karate BC board held a Our move into the $61‐million state‐ governance retreat on April 5‐7 of‐the‐art Fortius Athlete with facilitator Marilyn Payne in an Development Centre has been Congratulations also go to Claire effort to improve our services to the delayed until this summer. Boothe of Summerland for being members. awarded one of two BC Sports Hall We will occupy 540 square feet of of Fame’s 2012 scholarships given to This will entail a change in our space in the area of the building outstanding amateur athletes committee structure. known as Sydney Landing in graduating from a BC secondary anticipation of an increase in school. (See page 9) I’d like to thank our program members, and hence, staff, as a result coordinator Katie Thomson for of the Combat Sport Legislation Also being honoured for their facilitating the first workshop currently before the federal contribution to karate, this time by dedicated to competition review Parliament (See Combat Sports p. 11). Queen Elizabeth, were Shihan which included discussions on Fernando Correia of Duncan; Shihan implementation of LTAD, the long‐ If, after a year, we find we don’t need James Johnson of Burnaby (see page term athlete or participant the extra space, we will sublet it, 6 ); and Karate Canada President development plan, and the new much like we did in the BCIT Rebecca Khoury. NCCP, the National Coaching complex in Richmond. Certification Program. And for his volunteer work with Had we chosen the smaller space Karate BC, particularly during the Please see pages 16‐18 for details on and, a year later, decided we need a 2012 Nationals held here in B.C., I the NCCP/LTAD discussions. larger space, we would have to presented Dr. Chee Ling with the Sport BC President’s Award. (See (Continued on page 5) page 6)

I’d also like to thank our executive director, Dan Wallis, for arranging to AAP, travel grants have the 2013 Provincials streamed live on the Karate BC website. (See page 4) for Karate BC members

This is a first for Karate BC and we Three Karate BC members have Athlete Assistance Program were were quick to volunteer to pilot TV been awarded travel grants of Victoria Barusic, Thien Nguyen, coverage by viaSport as they are just $1,000 each, and six are sharing Cedomir Vasik, Brendon Ly, Derek beginning to offer this service to the $3,000 under the Athlete Assistance Chan and Toshi Uchiage. Provincial Sport Associations in Program for 2012. British Columbia. These funds are provided by the Receiving the $1,000 grants are provincial government and As Dan notes, this technology will Bernadette Alvarez, Courtenay supplemented by Karate BC. have far‐reaching, and extremely Brake and Valerie Doyon who Criteria for selection included positive spin‐offs for our athletes, competed in the Nationals earlier winning an International medal or their families and friends who want this year. taking part in an International World to watch and re‐watch themselves, Championship and winning more their friends, siblings, relatives, These grants, made possible from a then one gold medal at last year’s parents, or maybe even grandparents travel grant from viaSport (BC Sport Nationals. compete at KBC’s Premier event. Agency Society), come from the BC Government’s “Sport‐on‐the‐Move” All athletes had to also fully viaSport is the agency responsible for program. participate in the BC Team program providing strategic leadership and including participation at the funding to sport in BC. Awarded $500 each under the nationals.

3 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 Poirier named At the Provincials Karate Canada Coach of the Year

TORONTO — BC Team Head Coach Nicole Poirier has been selected Karate Canada coach of the year.

Owner and operator of TOP Karate, Poirier was an elite athlete for Canada in the 1990s and has 29 years of karate under her black belt.

“This is something I have been working towards for 20 years,” she said following the award presentation by Sensei Kraig Devlin of Victoria, a senior national team coach.

“It is a dream come true.”

In an interview last year she said her Karate Canada coach of the year Nicole Poirier and Kraig Devlin — Dick Grant photo ultimate goal for the BC Team was to create a power team of experts that supports the team in achieving KBC, viaSport to test drive performance goals. Live streaming at Provincials And she succeeded. The 2013 Provincials will be streamed they get their own. The BC Team came away from the live on the Karate BC website. 2013 national championships in This year, the live streaming will cover Toronto with its best showing since This is a first for Karate BC but only Sunday, May 26, because they only 1999, tying for medals with Quebec – viaSport has been doing skating events have enough equipment to cover four for three years. rings. the powerhouse since 2000 – with a three‐day total of 17 gold, 12 silver KBC Executive Director Dan Wallis “We have agreed to do that so that the and 20 bronze. said viaSport will do the live streaming live streaming will be successful for the using Skate Canada equipment until Provincials and we can build towards In March of 2011, Nicole was selected the Nationals,” Dan reports. as national team coach and has One ring will be dedicated to live accompanied the national team to KBC AGM commentary. viaSport will have a host various international competitions and KBC will provide a colour including the Senior Pan‐American Saturday, May 25 , commentator who would describe the Championships, the Commonwealth events in that ring. Championships and the World approximately 6:30 p.m. Viewers will go to the KBC website and Championships. following the Provincials, they can select whichever of the four channels they want to watch. The In addition to training elite athletes, Richmond Olympic Oval events and times for each ring will be Nicole teaches karate to children aged posted on the web site. 3 to 12 years old at the North Shore Come find out how your Winter Club and at Central School in viaSport is the agency responsible for Port Coquitlam. organization is doing. providing strategic leadership and funding to sport in BC.

4 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 At the Provincials

The BC Team rocked at the National championships in Toronto bringing home 17 gold, 12 silver and 20 bronze medals, tying with Canadian powerhouse Quebec. BC Team Head Coach Nicole Poirier, who also coaches the national team, was named Karate Canada coach of the year. — Dick Grant Photo

month, along with the Fortius High Performance Program. President’s report Gymnasium. B2ten provides training and (Continued from page 3) Meanwhile, Fortius will partner with preparation related services to elite B2ten which has relocated two high‐ amateur athletes, and invests in the level professionals to the Fortius development of Canadaʹs coaches and relocate to another area in the facility in Burnaby: Darren service providers. building as all space in the Sydney McConaghy of Hamilton, Ont. and Landing will have been spoken for. Damien Moroney of Nelson. Its alumni includes figure skating star Our new address will be Tessa Virtue. McConaghy, who is best‐known for Karate BC his work in the Canadiens Sydney Landing Suite 2002A Karate Canada update 3713 Kensington Ave. organization as director of strength Burnaby, BC V5B 0A7 and conditioning for the Hamilton The presidents of the Provincial Bulldogs of the AHL, will serve as Sports Organizations (PSOs) for The Grand Opening will be in director of performance karate met with Karate Canada September, but Fortius began conditioning. officials prior to the Nationals (where receiving its first clients May 1 in BC did so well) in Toronto. sports medicine, physiotherapy, Moroney is a physiotherapist and a chiropractic and massage therapy. certified strength and conditioning Federal funding for sports over the specialist whose main interests are next four years is based on Bookings are being made for orthopedic manual therapy and evaluations by , and appointments in these areas – and sports injury rehabilitation. Karate Canada received excellent Fortius Hydrotherapy – at evaluations. However, the dollars did [email protected] and He has been a consultant for the not follow. at (604) 292‐2500. Montreal Canadiens training staff, the Canadian Athletic Coaching Total federal funding increased by a The Fortius Fitness and Fortius Centre, the Canadian Olympic mere $22,000 to $292,000 which is Performance Conditioning areas Centre (), Cirque Du Soleil (Continued on page 7) should both be operational later this (Alegria) and the Red Bull Canada 5 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 Chee Ling At the Provincials Awarded President’s Award

Dr. Chee Ling, a founding member of Karate BC, is the 2012 Sport BC President’s Award recipient for his service as volunteer medical director at the 2012 National Championships.

The award was presented at a ceremony in March in conjunction Dr. Chee Ling with Karate BC President Charles La Vertu th with the 47 Athlete of the Year Karate BC and the National Karate Toronto Medical school in 1966, Dr. Awards in Richmond by Karate BC Association (Karate Canada’s Ling is a Clinical Instructor for the president Charles La Vertu. precursor) for many years, and was teaching faculty of UBC medical school, and a medical practitioner in This was Ling’s second time on the volunteer medical director for 30 Family Medicine. podium, having received the 2006 years with KBC. award. From 1992 to 2009, Ling was a He is actively involved in coaching / teaching karate and Iaido at the A Ryokudan in both Shito Ryu Karate director on the Canadian Olympic Delta Karate School to this day. and Dai Nihon Iaido Renmei (Great Committee. Community service has Japan Iaido Association), Ling has included serving many years on the been a student of martial arts for 52 Kitimat School Board, and Kitimat years – in Judo, Karate and Iaido. Municipal Council.

He served on the executive board of A graduate of the University of

Former Karate BC Executive Director James Johnson of Burnaby, right, and Karate BC BC Games Provincial Advisor Fernando Correia of Duncan were presented with the Queen Elizabeth II diamond jubilee medal by Premier Christy Clark to honour their service to karate. The medal was created to mark the Queen’s 60th anniversary on the throne and to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians. Both are founding members of Karate BC. 6 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 “I think the NCCP program is going At howthe to engageProvincials these junior athletes President’s Report in an exciting direction,” Rob said in and let them know KC is with them, an email. has plans for them and will be (Continued from page 5) establishing a clear pathway for Implementation of ambitious plans them, and what they will need to what Karate Canada will get each by Karate Canada was curbed do. year for the next four. through a shortage of funds so the national body has decided to create KC reports that karate was one of the a strategic planning committee few sports, including Olympic which includes our executive sports, to get the maximum increase. director, Dan Wallis.

The national organization is working The committee is currently working to get karate into the , on finding out where we are today and finds that the door is and what drives Karate Canada. implementation of the new National This will be followed with Coaching Certification Program. consultation with those people and Entry into the Canada Games will groups impacted through focus increase funding, for the PSOs groups, online surveys and targeted especially; and being in the games interviews. increases rankings towards future A planning retreat with the Sport Canada funding. provinces and key stakeholders is slated for early June to determine Nicole Poirier where we go next and how do we Here in BC, our head coach, Nicole get there. During the summer and Poirier, started working on this at the fall, KC will develop and adopt a last BC Winter Games, and has strategic plan framework for invited some of these youngsters to approval Nov. 29 at the KC Annual train with the BC Team. (See pp. 19 General Meeting. and 20) The KC High Performance Owning the House: The 2015 Pan Committee, on recommendation of Ams in Toronto will be huge, and Own the Podium, will focus on three can be a huge success or failure. key programs given current resources. We have two years to get our athletes to where they should be, and KC will These are: Rising Stars (talent focus on giving them the tools and identification, nurturing and support to reach that level of development; joint training medals. The focus will be Donna Gardecki opportunities), Owning the House performing at that level. (with focus on performances at the The KBC board has tasked Shihan 2015 to be KC is on the Way: The PSOs and KC Donna Gardecki of West Coast held in Toronto), and KC is on the have to work together as a country so Gojukai Karate in Coquitlam and our Way (showing that Canada can that we can perform on the program manager Katie Thomson medal at the world level.) international stage. with leading implementation of the NCCP for us. Rising stars: If we want medals at As Dan Wallis noted, the provinces Worlds, we need to look at the can support this effort by aligning Donna and Paul Zehr conducted a junior athletes right now and see and understanding what is course at the University of Victoria who has potential in the future so happening at the national level, and last month, and former KBC they can develop. bringing that information to the president Rob Walker reports it was very successful. Work is under way to determine (Continued on page 11)

7 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 At the Provincials

Karate BC medical co‐director Chris Browett discussed concussions with the young athletes

Tournament CS4L Style Ian MacDonald photos

8 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 At the Provincials Claire Boothe awarded Hall of Fame scholarship

Karate BC member, nine‐time Provincial champion and 2012 National champion Claire Boothe, 18, of Summerland is one of two recipients of the BC Sports Hall of Fame’s 2012 Jack Farley Youth Sports Achievement Award.

These scholarships are awarded to my experience both rewarding to “I would like to thank Chris and one outstanding male and one others and more well‐rounded than Cheryl Taneda and Mike Ditson for outstanding female amateur athlete just a competitor.” helping me achieve this award graduating from a BC secondary through their unwavering dedication school. In addition to karate, Boothe was and passion, and high standards that able to include involvements such as they set for their students and help These students excel in a particular being the Summerland Secondary them achieve.” sport and exemplify the values, School volleyball team captain for commitment and contribution to the three years, playing tennis and Winners receive $2,000, which is community held by Jack Farley, an softball, and various leadership applied to their education at a post‐ honoured member of the BC Sports projects and volunteer activities secondary institution here in British Hall of Fame and Museum. Columbia. “When applying for this award, Applicants must be graduating from karate was very prominent in my grade 12 and demonstrate that they achievements,” Claire said. plan to attend a registered college or “Throughout the 11 years that I have university in British Columbia within been involved in Karate BC and the 12 months of graduation. Taneda Dojo, I have had the Jack Farley served as president of the opportunity to compete at the local such as raising funds for Free the BC Lions, the level, and earn three world champion Children and helping introduce a League, and the Western Football titles for Chito‐Ryu at the Soke Cup in transition program at Summerland Conference. 2007 and 2010. Secondary.

She also won nine provincial “Currently studying Kinesiology at In addition, he spearheaded the champion titles, becoming National the University of British Columbia, capital campaign which raised $5 Champion in 2012, representing with aspirations to become a million to build the new BC Sports Canada at the US Open, North physiotherapist with a minor in Hall of Fame and Museum in BC America Cup, and the Junior Pan‐ nutrition, this award meant a lot to Place Stadium. American Championships. me because it emphasized encompassing all areas of life, For his dedication to the club, the “However, the teaching, coaching and including academics, achievement in Lions retired sweater #83 in his name refereeing that I have had the sport, community involvement and upon his retirement from the board of opportunity to partake in has made leadership,” Boothe said. directors.

9 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 BC Team members strike bronze in Vegas

Two BC Team members have returned home from Las Vegas with bronze medals.

Canadian national champion Shaun Dhillon took third place in the 18‐34 male elite +84kg kumite at the 2013 USA Open held March 30 and 31 while Bernadette Alvarez placed third in the 16‐17 girls advanced kumite +55kg at the 2013 Junior International Three BC officials — Trevor Walmsley, Rosella Ng and Valentyna Zolotarova — Cup held March 29. were certified at the recent Karate Canada 2013 National Championships in Toronto. Karate BC President Charles La Vertu, fourth from right, is pictured with the BC officials who attended including from left, Andreas Kuntze, Rick Penner, Phil Beytoei named Taneda, Rosella Ng, Brian James, Trevor Walmsley, Geoffrey Newell and BC Officials Committee chair Paul Sexton. Absent from the picture is Valentyna to National team Zolotarova. Meanwhile, Karate Canada has announced Arash Beytoei (Menʹs ‐67 kg kumite division) has been named to the 2013‐2014 Senior National Team roster, where he will be occupying a position left vacant at the conclusion of the February 2013 First National Training Camp (FNTC).

Selection of team members is based on their remarkable performances at the recent National Championships, and in accordance with the current Senior National Team Criteria for kumite athletes.

Also on the team are BC Team members Jusleen Virk, kumite – 50 BC Team medals at North America Cup kg; Sumi Uchiage, individual kata; All BC Team members competing in the 2013 North American Karate Cup in Shaun Dhillon, kumite 84+ kg; and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, returned home with medals. Victoria Barusic won Toshi Uchiage, individual kata. silver in kumite and bronze in kata; Jusleen Virk, silver in kumite; Sumi and Toshi Uchiage each scored bronze medals in kata; Shaun Dhillon, bronze; Anisha Virk, bronze; and Arash Beytoei, bronze.

They were part of the Canadian National team of 34 Junior and Senior athletes that took part in an international training camp alongside National teams from Mexico and the USA, prior to the competition. Chief Canadian Referee Norma Foster also travelled to Puerto Vallarta for the April 28 competition.

10 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 President’s Report who are at a higher level. At internationalthe Provincials training camp in the fall. Two world‐renown international (Continued from page 7) champions from Brazil have been Officials will have more learning recruited to help the junior team opportunities a s the new HP Plan coaches lead the camp, as well as a multiplies joint training coaches and clubs. seasoned international judo opportunities and training camps, competitor and coach who will help since they can attend and assist at The focus of National these various training camps. Championships is in fact more developmental, and it is neither necessarily adequate nor optimal for our internationally‐ranked Travel cost‐sharing athletes. The National championships will be Among the changes outlined by held in the Richmond Olympic Oval national coach Kraig Devlin was that over the next four years starting in next year senior National team January, 2014. athletes will compete at the Nationals And Karate Canada is adopting a as Team Canada rather than as travel cost‐share program based on a representatives of their provinces. model used successfully by other They will also train accordingly, and National Sport Organizations, most will therefore have to be exempted notably rugby. and relieved from the demands of This means that our athletes, officials, PSO qualification and training coaches, support staff and official processes. KC will attempt to ensure representatives (such as the Karate harmonious coordination with the BC president) as well as Karate various provincial HP programs. Canada staff and volunteers will be Sandeep Gill To assist in the development of Team paying a travel fee even if they live in Canada, KC is looking to hire a part‐ with cross‐training in sweeps and the host area. time High Performance coordinator, a takedowns for ippon kumite The idea is to offset travel costs by part‐time head coach and one or two techniques. making everyone attending the part‐time National team coaches. As could be expected, the Nationals pay the same no matter It will also hold regional training Maritimes were upset that there is where they are coming from. camps in Vancouver, Gatineau and no training camp in their region but Karate Canada will hire a travel agent Toronto where anyone living within since the national high performance to handle the booking and determine 100 kilometres of these centres will be budget is spread so thinly, KC had how much each person must pay. required to attend those training to identify and focus on three key sessions. Promising juniors will also areas which have the highest ratio So our members will be paying their be invited to attend. The Regional of senior National team athletes share of travel costs even if they live coach for Western Canada is our own within a short distance of one in Metro Vancouver. Sandeep Gill, former BC Team head another. coach. Additionally, KC has identified A junior national training camp will certain specific events in the Combat Sports calendar, such as the Frankfurt also be held this summer which will There is currently a private member’s Open, for a small team of be mandatory for those juniors bill wending its way through the Carded and top‐ranked athletes wanting to compete internationally House of Commons which is to compete and gain this season. There will also be open expected to become law in the near sessions for other junior athletes so international experience. that they can train with individuals They will also attend the (Continued on page 14)

11 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 Valentyna scores At theVirk Provincials wins election A new record To BC Legislature

Karate BC team member Valentyna RCMP Inspector Amrik Virk, a Zolotarova of Hayabusa Karate, also former Karate BC member and known as Lady Valy in the Reggae, father to BC Team members Hip Hop and Dancehall music world, Anisha and Jusleen Virk, has been released her mixtape Livinʹ elected to the BC Legislature. International on April 12. He will represent Surrey‐ Valy celebrated her mixtape release Tynehead for the Liberals. with a successful performance at Status (the most popular dancehall Virk, who first joined the RCMP in In particular, Time to Fight is a and Reggae venue on a Friday Night 1987, was commissioned to the positive and energetic song that in Metro Vancouver) and her rank of Inspector in 2001, and has describes the thoughts of an athlete interviews and songs in English, been active in youth and gang as he/she enters the ring. violence prevention throughout www.Facebook.com/ the Lower Mainland. LadyValyFanPage Virk’s campaign literature says he has a black belt in Karate, exercises slowly and golfs poorly.

He has lived in Surrey for the last 11 years with his wife Jatinder and their three daughters.

Jamaican Patois, Russian, Spanish and French will be featured on African Connections Radio, Nasha Volna Radio, On The Grine TV, Acento Latino TV and other venues.

The Livinʹ International mixtape includes 22 songs, features more than 10 guest artists and has already sold Proud papa Dan Wallis, Karate BC executive director, with grandson Elliot who was copies in Canada, USA, Ghana and born Feb. 15 weighing in at 10 pounds 8 1/2 ounces and 23 inches long. A trophy Ukraine. Song topics include love, catch for Bryce and Erin (Dan’s daughter). Maisie, Elliotʹs three‐year‐old sister, was elimination of racism, motherhood, thrilled with her new brother. Elliot was eight days overdue but he and his mom are perseverance and, of course, karate. healthy and happy.

12 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 At the Provincials

Photographer extraordinaire Dick Grant, who supplies Karate BC with great pictures, was spotted by Angela Vincze at the Karate Senior World Championships last year in Paris. At the Nationals, Karate Canada awarded Dick its prestigious Ross Rumbell award for outstanding service to karate.

Officiating for the first time, at the Coming up . . . Vancouver Island Karate Championships in Duncan, was Lorena Barclay seen here May 25‐26, 2013 with Trevor Walmsley, himself newly certified at the National level. Karate BC Provincial Championships

May 25 KBC AGM

Oct. 7‐15 2013

Commonwealth Karate Championships; Montreal

Nov. 2‐3, 2013

Karate BC Open tournament; Young Sparrows Mike Taylor, Kinon Mah, Kevin Moore, Adam Gabert Saanich (date and location to be confirmed) Young Sparrows on tour Jan 17 – 19, 2014 Former Karate BC member Kinon Their debut album Weʹre All On The Same Team Here with Travis Saunders Karate Canada National Mah is touring BC and Alberta as a member of the Young Sparrows. (My Broken Hero, Secret and Championship; Richmond Whisper) was released May 24, 2012. Olympic Oval, 6111 River Road Mah, son of Sensei Tom Mah of Kelowna, is the drummer with the Following a member change, they Feb. 20‐23, 2014 pop punk/rock band from Kelowna have completed their forthcoming EP, which has been in existence since slated for release within spring/ BC Winter Games; Mission late 2009. summer of 2013.

13 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 At theOur executive Provincials director, Dan Wallis, President’s Report has been in contact with a consultant hired by the BC government to do (Continued from page 11) an environmental scan in BC to see what currently is occurring in amateur combat sports and what future. might, should, may need to change if federal legislation comes our way. This change to the Criminal Code could have some major implications Once the consultant’s report is in, for Karate not only in BC, but the combat sports will then be throughout the country. required to act on whatever recommendations the Ministry Conservative MP Dan Albas decides to put forward. (Okanagan—Coquihalla ) told the federal Justice and Human Rights KBC will need to review/revise/ Committee that Bill S‐209 proposes to create its club accreditation extend the exemption in section 83 for program/risk management program amateur boxing contests to cover and officials program to help other amateur combative sport integrate any new members to our contests, including contests in sports Association. such as judo, karate, tae kwon do, and

kick‐boxing, as well as mixed martial arts. Karate BC Website

The bill would also clarify that the Our web site and data base are exemption in section 83 that currently pretty well up and running thanks to covers professional boxing contests Dan Wallis, First Vice‐President would then include professional Jason Farquharson and KBC mixed martial arts contests. Program Director Katie Thomson. You will note we have contracted It updates the definition of a “prize with one supplier, Mikado Martial fight” to include an encounter with arts, for a full year advertising, and fists, hands, or feet, and expands the our other sponsors – the Sheraton, list of exemptions to the offence to Canada Martial Arts Supply and include amateur combative sports Special T Group Events – were that are on the program of the offered space as part of their International Olympic Committee or sponsorship, and we hope to expand the program of the International this in the future. Paralympic Committee, other amateur sports as designated or Dan and James Kang of Gravity approved by the province, and Computers Inc. continue to work on boxing contests and mixed martial improvements to the Momentum arts contests held under the authority software program we use to register of a provincial athletic board, members – next year you will be commission or a similar body. able to “bulk load” existing members into the new year – this In all exemptions, provincial saving lots of time and we will also permission is required and the be able to consider online contests are supervised by provincial BC Team Kata Men Paulo Santillian, tournament registration and injury John Sawall and Terrence Chan won or municipal regulators. It is at this tracking. gold at the Karate Canada Nationals in level that Karate BC may have the Toronto — Sarah Perez photos most impact. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. 14 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 At the Provincials Karate BC inaugural sport at Fortius Sport & Health

Karate BC was introduced as one of nine inaugural Resident Sport Partners at a media event May 13 at the new $61‐million facility built beside 8 Rinks in Burnaby.

Joining Karate BC in the new centre are BC Athletics, Curl BC, Canoe‐ Kayak BC, BC Water Polo, Synchro BC, Sport MedBC, a network of more than 600 sport medical practitioners, BC School Sports and the Roman Tulis European Soccer school of excellence.

The building – funded and owned by the Fortius Foundation charitable organization dedicated to sport & exercise medicine and science facilities, resources and other initiatives – features the Fortius Institute, a human performance lab, Karate BC Executive Director Dan Wallis NBA‐size gymnasium, FIFA‐ received a ceremonial hockey jersey at Pastor honoured the Fortius media announcement standard soccer pitch, running track, athlete accommodations, and easily accessible by our membership Pastor Tim Schroeder, a member Hydroworx 2000 underwater at the Sprott Street and Kensington of the Tom Mah School of Karate treadmill. Avenue exits off the Trans‐Canada in Kelowna, was named the Highway. winner of the Anita Tozer Resident Retail Partners include Memorial Award in recognition of Pharmasave (already operational) See also the President’s report on his extraordinary and positive and FitFirst Footwear. pages 3 and 5. contribution to the quality of life in Kelowna. Among the many advantages to us For more information, visit at Karate BC is its central location, www.fortiussport.com. The award must be through a unanimous vote by City Council. ʺKnown as the ʹOut of the Box Pastor,ʹ . . . Equally as comfortable KBC Disciplinary Action preaching in a police car, a hockey dressing room, at karate, judo or a Pursuant to sections 8.1 (i) and (j) of the Karate BC Member Conduct, pulpit,” said Councillor Maxine Dispute Resolution and Appeals Policy, Mr. Ron Curran of the Maple DeHart. Ridge Karate Club is expelled and excluded from membership with Karate BC for infractions of section 4.4 of the Policy, effective May 10, “Tim has established a reputation 2013. as one of Canadaʹs most community involved pastors.ʺ

15 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 At the Provincials Karate BC launches competition review By Katie Thomson review of LTD and current status of activity Karate BC program coordinator ’s competition review,  Change idea of what a as well as a short presentation on the tournament is The Karate BC board of directors, reasons for performing a  How to organize an event for 13 staff and members representing competition review. and under at Provincial various regions of the Province got Championships together April 7, 2013 for the first Reasons to Perform a  Events for +35 “seasoned” workshop dedicated to Competition Competition Review citizens Review.  Sport forms itself based on  Needs someone in charge of This review process is part of our competition communication LTD commitment to Canada Sport for  Coaches coach to competition implementation to clubs Life’s (CS4L) Long Term Athlete/  Parents assess success based on  Get feedback from clubs Participant Development (LTD).  Don’t lose sight of “fun” factor  Need a steering committee for LTD  Need realistic goals

* The high performance stages of Train to Compete, Train to Perform and Train to Win weren’t included in our review as the structure of competition at these stages are directly dictated by Karate Canada. We also didn’t include Active Start as Rick Penner, Nicole Poirier, Katie Thomson, Mike Ditson, Warren Grafton this first stage doesn’t involve competition of any kind. Fifteen people attended the five‐hour competition workshop and the discussions were  Administrators structure Next we discussed where we are at informative and positive, with support around competition now by examining our current everyone fully‐engaged in the  Government funding competition structure. From this process. requirements examination the group determined that the following are the primary The workshop focussed on analyzing We then proceeded to come up with issues with our current structure that the current competition system and a list of outcomes for the workshop. need to be addressed: proposing alternatives for the Some of the outcomes were long‐ following four stages of LTD: Primary Issues and/or short‐term goals and other Fundamentals (FUN), Learn to Train were outcomes for the day. (L2T), Train to Train (T2T) and  Need developmentally Active for Life (A4L).* Outcomes appropriate competition  Need meaningful competition This is one of the early steps in the  To better retain our members we  Need calendar planning and Competition Review process and will need meaningful events at all periodization need to be followed up with stages  Need clear development pathway finalizing the alternatives,  Need someone “in charge” of  Need to collect performance data communicating the recommended each stage i.e. Nicole Poirier in changes, implementing the changes charge of BC Team – LTD stage The next step was to come up with a and monitoring performance once Train to Train vision for the future: the changes are in place.  13 and under beginners need The workshop started off with a brief events with 60 – 90 minutes of (Continued on page 17)

16 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 Competition review At the Provincials (Continued from page 16)

Vision

 Inclusive, fair, fun competitions that are developmentally appropriate  Meaningful competition  Create events where the various stages of LTD are evident throughout the day  At all stages of development Andreas Kuntze, Donna Gardecki, Dan Wallis, Roy Tippenhauer, Kurt Nordli athletes have the opportunity for body size System/Structure Analysis. This task expression  Entry at any age involved comparing what we are  The events need to make money currently doing with the vision and and retain competitors over the  Can move up and down core principles listed above. years  To keep kata but make Core Principles – T2T We didn’t have time to finish this competition streamlined/fair task but here is some of the analysis:  Participants grouped by similar Once a vision for the future was skills, age and weight FUN and L2T determined we split up into the three  Compete regionally,  Current structure is adult based groups, each focusing on a different provincially and inter‐ with regards to season length, stage of LTD for the remainder of the provincially competition structure and day.  Winning a moderate priority format with some modifications

 Gaining experience the highest having been made to rules. Group 1 ‐ Fundamentals (FUN) and priority Learn to Train (L2T)  Recognition becomes important  Specific competition format needed for these stages that Group 2 ‐ Train to Train (T2T) at this stage  Beginners can enter at this level isn’t based on the adult Group 3 ‐ Active for Life (A4L) – non structure high performance adults and masters Core Principles – A4L A4L was the focus for this group  Regional Events The first task for these groups was to  No real competition structure in  Use of modified sport determine the core principles at each place to compare and contrast equipment, rules, etc... i.e. stage and here is what they came up Ippon Kumite instead of eight‐ At the end of the workshop it was with: point spread clear that within the four LTD Core Principles – FUN and L2T  Sport ability groupings – stages this workshop focused on, novice, intermediate and there is a strong need for change in  Modified sport activities advanced order to align our competition  Winning a low priority for ages  Winning a moderate priority – structure with the Karate LTD 6 – 9, and moderate priority for opportunity for expression and Model and Canada Sport for Life’s 10 – 12 experience highest priority vision.  Development a high priority “To reshape how we support sport and  Close by/regional The second task for the groups was (Continued on page 18)  Participants grouped by similar to begin the process of Competition

17 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 Test and Train Island Kimura Shukokai Karateka in New Jersey

By Rob Walker Chief instructor Westshore Kimura Shukokai Karate

Kimura Shukokai International hosted its annual World Chief Instructors Course in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Twelve Vancouver Island members, led by the KSI Chief Instructor for Western Canada, David Bentley, travelled east for a lot of training and a bit of socializing with the other international guests and seven members from Eastern Canada.

The KSI World Chief Instructors Shihan Eddie Daniels of England, Shihan Bill Bressaw of the USA, Shihan Chris Thompson of South The Canadians in New Jersey include Shihan David Bentley, fifth from left in rear and Sensei Rob Walker, fifth from right in rear. was a trip to the Metropolitan most comprehensive collection of Museum of Art to see their display traditional Japanese swords and of Nihonto, claimed to be from the fittings outside of Japan.

Competition review How to get involved? Africa and Shihan Lionel Marinus, If you would like to get involved in also of South Africa, led the group (Continued from page 17) the Competition Review process through four days of technique and please contact: sweat. train athletes at all levels in Canada – from children to adults, from towns to Katie Thomson Each Shihan shared recent insights cities, from provinces and regions [email protected]. from their own training and we came through to the National level. 604‐333‐3610 away with exciting new paths to explore. In realizing this vision, we aim to keep more Canadians active for life with More information about CS4L and The WCIC includes an annual Dan recreational sport and physical activity, LTD: grading. A total of 43 Karateka and at the same time help Canadians in Canada Sport for Life graded including two Vancouver www.canadasportforlife.ca all sports win more medals Karate Canada LTD “Karate for Life” Island members –Peter Johnson for internationally”. http:// his Nidan and Suzi Dickinson for her www.canadiansportforlife.ca http://www.karatecanada.org/docs/ Shodan. ltad/Karate%20for%20Life.pdf Karate BC LTD Implementation Plan During time off from training we AGM, May 25 visited nearby Manhattan to enjoy its http://karatebc.org/downloads/ museums, food, shopping and Richmond Oval Karate_BC_LTAD_Implementation_P theatres. Included in our sightseeing lan_V3%20Mar%202012%20Draft.pdf

18 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 At the Provincials BC ROCKED AT KARATE NATIONALS

TORONTO – The BC Team had its best showing since 1999 at the Karate Canada National Championships held March 15‐18 in Toronto, tying for medals with Quebec – the powerhouse province since 2000.

Our three‐day total was 17 gold, 12 silver and 20 bronze.

BC Team coach Nicole Poirier was named Karate Canada coach of the year; Shaun Dhillon, senior male athlete of the year; and Geoffrey Newell, junior male athlete of the Team BC’s Victoria Barusic, second left, and Bernadette Alvarez, left, placed first and year. second in the female kata U21 division at the Nationals. Placing third were Alex Remondini of Alberta and Elizabeth Ferreira of Ontario — Dick Grant photo Dhillon also won the sportsmanship of the year award. Alvarez SILVER; Kata Male Cadets: Mand GOLD, Joel Tai BRONZE; Trevor Kim GOLD; Kata Male U21: Cadets Male ‐63kg: Kyle Macmillan Toshi Uchiage won his 11th senior Paulo Santillian GOLD, Thien BRONZE. national men’s kata title. Including Nguyen SILVER, Chris Joe BRONZE, his junior titles, this was Uchiage’s Seiya Takeuchi BRONZE. Cadets Male ‐70kg: Jackson Tribe 16th gold at Nationals. GOLD; U21 Male +78kg: Cedomir Cadets Female ‐54kg: Alexandra Vasic SILVER; U21 Male ‐68kg: Medalling were: Kata Female Cadets: Zaborniak SILVER; U21 Female ‐ Matthew Ly SILVER, Sukresh Kaloty Shalene Lee BRONZE, Claudia Laos‐ 53kg: Anisha Virk BRONZE; Cadets BRONZE; Kata Women: Rita Ngo Loo BRONZE; Kata Female U21: Male +70kg: Aleksander Ponomarev (Continued on page 20) Victoria Barusic GOLD, Bernadette BRONZE; Cadets Male ‐57kg: Isaac

Team BC is ready for the Nationals after its final training session at the Richmond Olympic Oval — Sarah Perez photo

19 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 BC ROCKED At the Provincials (Continued from page 19)

GOLD, Sumi Uchiage BRONZE; Kata Junior Male: Tan Nguyen GOLD, John Sawall SILVER, Evan Kwong BRONZE.

Kata Men: Toshi Uchiage GOLD, Thien Nguyen SILVER, Kenneth Lee BRONZE; Team Kata Cadets‐Junior: Emelyn Folkes, Jean Newell and Geoffrey Newell GOLD; Team Kata Men: Paulo Santillian, John Sawall and Terrence Chan GOLD; Junior Female +59kg: Harpreet Sidhu It was a clean sweep for the BC Team in the kata individual male U21 with Paulo SILVER, Bernadette Alvarez Santillian, resting, taking gold; Thien Nguyen, silver; and Christopher Joe and Seiya Takeuchi, bronze. — Dick Grant photos BRONZE.

Junior Female ‐48kg: Isabel Chan GOLD, Rachel Ko BRONZE; Women +68kg: Kim Logan BRONZE; Women ‐50kg: Jusleen Virk GOLD, Victoria Barusic BRONZE; Women ‐68kg: Cindy Jacob BRONZE; Junior Male ‐ 61kg: Tan Nguyen BRONZE; Men ‐ 67kg: Arash Beytoei GOLD, Matthew Ly BRONZE.

Men +84kg: Shaun Dhillon GOLD; Kumite Junior +76: Bendon Ly GOLD, Callan Evans, SILVER; Kumite Junior ‐55: Evan Kwong GOLD; Geoffrey Toshi Uchiage, 2nd left, won his 11th National senior male kata title. Including his Newell SILVER; Kumite male seniors junior titles, this was Uchiage’s 16th gold at Nationals. Thien Nguyen, left, won open: Shaun Dhillon GOLD; Kumite silver and Kenneth Lee, right, bronze. female juniors ‐59: Avneet Kaloty SILVER.

Kumite Team female senior: Jusleen Virk, Andrea Maikawa, Cindy Jacob and Kimberly Logan, BRONZE; and Kumite Team male seniors: Kalan Anglos, Arash Beytoei, Matthew Bickel, Shaun Dhillon, Matthew Ly, Cedomir Vasic, Cody Martin SILVER.

See official results at: https:// www.sportdata.org/karate/set‐online‐ ca/popup_main.php? popup_action=results&vernr=959&act Tan Nguyen, 2nd left, took first place in kata individual male juniors. John Sawall, ive_menu=calendar left, won silver while Evan Kwong, right, went home with bronze.

20 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 BC Winter Games At the Provincials Next Gen identified in talent search

By Nicole Poirier BC Team Head Coach

Karate BC has launched a talent identification program for young athletes who aspire to become Mike Ditson, Pam Ross, Brendan Wise, Levi Thomas, Cassia Kitaoka, Gwydoline members of the BC Team. Tingey, Zahnil Lal, Joshua Colonna, James Winter, Jocelyn Fennell, Christina Craig, Peter Stoddart, Nicole Poirier and Jason Farquharson. Four athletes were selected during the 2012 BC Winter Games and all BC Team Selection tournament. The coaches then turned to the BC four participated at some level in the Team athletes for their input in this BC Team program, two also attended Thirteen aspiring athletes presented decision. BC Team athletes all the 2013 Nationals in Toronto. themselves at the BC Team Selection responded positively that we should tournament. As the Winter Games are scheduled pick four athletes and so we did. every two years, Karate BC As we had a low number, the We were so happy to see the positive implemented continuity of the Talent coaches were unsure if we were to response from our elite athletes and Identification on a yearly basis by pick one female and one male or two wanting to encourage grassroots to including a 12‐13 division during the of each. take part of the program at an early stage.

The 12‐13 year olds participated in the Selection and also were invited to train with the BC Team the next day.

Congratulations to: Gwyndoline Tingey, Cassia Kitaoka, Levi Thomas and Brendan Wise.

All selected athletes were invited to train for free with the BC Team for the 2013‐2014 season and will receive a new karate‐gi at the beginning of the season.

So far, the Talent ID program seems to be a success and our next scouting for 12‐13 year olds will be held at the BC Winter Games in Mission in Rita Ngo and Sarah Perez with the K which is travelling around the world February, 2014. spreading the karate wish of being Olympic. The K is on the Way!

21 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 Demura At the Provincials attends Sato Cup

Athletes from the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, Washington, Manitoba, India and Japan attended the 14th Annual Sato Cup Tournament held Feb. 16 at BCIT in Burnaby.

The 100+ volunteers that came out to help for the day provided a fun and friendly experience for all. Team BC defeated Japan for the Sato Cup. Receiving cup are Michael Lam, The six rings of competition kept Valentyna Zolotarova and Elizabeth Chan with Fumio Demura and Akira Sato flowing with athletes throughout the day keeping spectators engaged with this yearʹs Sato Cup! The Sato Cup events from colour belts to black continues to be an event of belts. friendship and quality martial arts. Special guest, Shihan Fumio Demura, The results of this yearʹs awards: made the trip from Los Angeles to hold a lecture followed by a bunkai Vince Redfern Sportsmanship seminar the night before at the Nikkei Memorial Trophy: Watanabe, Centre. Takayuki ‐ Seiko‐Kai Eishinkan, He also enjoyed the dayʹs events as a Tokoshima, Japan special guest of the tournament. Masters Grand Champion: Shihan Akira Sato, as usual, was an Yamamura, Junya ‐ Nikkei Karate active participant as he demonstrated Masters Grand Champ Junya Yamamura his well‐known knife self‐defence during the noon hour break. Junior Girls Grand Champion: This year, we were also treated to a Krumwiede, Vienna ‐ WKA Bellevue, special demonstration by the Shung WA, USA Ying Kung Fu Club, lead by Sifu Hilbert Yiu, who came with a team of Jr. Boys Grand Champion: Caflisch, over 50 demonstrators. Cohan ‐ Northwest Shitokai

Their show started with five lion Women’s Grand Champion: dances accompanied by lively Zolotarova, Valentyna ‐ Hayabusa drumming, followed by a fantastic Karate display of martials arts training in forms and weaponry. Menʹs Grand Champion: Dalati, Takayuki Watanabe of Japan won the Definitely a spectacular highlight to Vince Redfern sportsmanship award Amir ‐ World Top Karate Federation

22 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 At the Provincials Karate in the Fringe Festival

Two Karate BC members will be intercepted some new souls that are erasing the dividing line between about to be incarnated as girls so martial arts and fine arts in a new that she can impart some important production at this year’s Vancouver advice. International Fringe Festival. That advice mostly boils down to “Athena’s Self‐Defence for Girls‐to‐ what she considers to be the Be” is a one‐act, one‐woman play essential principles of unarmed that will be appearing on the Main combat, something Athena thinks Stage at the Fringe, which runs that history demonstrates all girls September 5th to 15th on Granville and women should know. Island. “It’s a fun play,” according to Huva, who is a professional actor and a member of North Vancouver Shidokan Karate.

“It’s full of big ideas acted out on a small scale. Plus, I get to do real karate full‐force without having to Sensei Michael Doherty worry about injuring my co‐star!” “I ended up not teaching that class, That “co‐star” is a “Bob” martial but I’d already spent a lot of time arts dummy, itself borrowed from thinking about how the most essential the Valley Shidokan Karate Club. elements of personal combat could be The play’s author is Sensei Michael summed up in a short period of time, Doherty, a long‐time Karate BC and those ideas – to my surprise – led member and Senior Instructor at the me to writing a play, the first one I’ve North Vancouver Shidokan club. done in many years.”

“Last year I was looking at teaching The play is short, only a half‐hour, and will run several times during the Jennifer Huva a self‐defence class, an idea I’d always resisted. course of the Fringe Festival ( http:// www.vancouverfringe.com/ ). The play takes a sometimes‐ humorous, sometimes poignant look at women, history and violence, as well as answering the question of why the gods seem to have stopped Summer Camps intervening in the affairs of humans.

The play stars Jennifer Huva as the June 28‐July 1: IKGA Canada July 13 & 14: Shito Ryu Seikokai goddess Athena, who has Justice Institute & West Coast Courtenay Recreation Centre Gojukai Dojo, New Westminster & Coquitlam August 10 & 11 Tsuruoka National Karate July 5‐7: Gima‐Ha Shotokan Ryu Tournament & Seminar Whistler Secondary School Kelowna Secondary School

23 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 At the Provincials Nanaimo karate kidʹs fists of fury fend off would‐be cellular phone thief

By Darrell Bellaart He’s not the type of person to go Nanaimo Daily News looking for a fight. April 20, 2013 “He’s very mild‐mannered,” said his Jordan Sunnus, 16, gave a would‐be‐ trainer, sensei Kurt Nordli, who thief a little more than he bargained heard about the incident the next day, when he tried to steal Sunnusʹs from Jordan. cellphone on Sunday Photograph by: Krista Bryce, Nanaimo Daily News “I was both proud and worried, and also sad someone had to defend A Nanaimo youth’s martial arts themselves. It’s never a good thing.” training gave him the upper hand against a would‐be robber who tried It was a case where all the boy’s hard to heist the boy’s cellphone. Jordan Sunnus work paid off. Nanaimo RCMP have no suspects in Jordan Sunnus, 16, was jogging along “It’s like preparing for an earthquake the attack. Seventh Street Sunday at 9: 30 p.m., ‐ it’s good to be prepared but you when he stopped for a moment to The victim, a Cedar Secondary hope it never happens.” student, is trained in Brazilian jiu‐ The attacker is described as white, six jitsu and mixed martial arts. foot two and wearing a black hoodie, He delivered five blows to his which obscured his face. He had on attacker but he’s comfortable he white shoes and blue jeans. used an appropriate amount of [email protected] force.

“There is the possibility he had a The story also appeared in various select a new playlist on his iPhone. knife and if I let off a little, he could publications including the Nanaimo have used it on me,” Jordan said. “If News Bulletin, April 16, 2013, BCTV, He heard a voice from behind him, you hit him once, what if he had a CTV, The Globe and Mail and iphone complimenting him on his cellphone. gun?” in Canada. “Some guy said ‘nice phone,’” Jordan said. “He pushed me to the ground.” Karate BC wants you . . . The man struck him in the face. There will be at least two vacant positions on your volunteer Karate BC Jordan has a black belt in karate, but board of directors when elections take place during our Annual General he doesn’t flaunt it. Meeting May 25. His reaction was automatic. “I hit him The secretary’s position, with one year left in its term, has been vacant since four times and then I threw him to the the last AGM in November, and Director‐at‐Large Noreen Yeomans has ground with a hip toss, and I hit him said she will not be seeking a second term. again in the face.” Seeking re‐election are President Charles La Vertu, Treasurer Ken Corrigan, He left his attacker, then went to the Membership Director Andreas Kuntze, and Director‐at‐large Rick Penner. Nanaimo RCMP detachment to report Nominations for any of the six positions up for election may be made from the incident. the floor. “He was just kind of lying on the The person nominated must indicate he or she is prepared to have his/her ground,” he said. name stand.

24 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 Canada’s karate king on questAt for the Provincialsworld title

By Don Fennell As an elite Canadian amateur athlete, Richmond Review Toshi also faces additional challenges April 05, 2013 many of his colleagues around the world do not, including paying his For the Uchiages, the martial arts— own flight and hotel costs to attend karate specifically—are a way of life international competitions. Those spanning the generations. costs are covered by many country’s federations, he said. Patriarch Takeshi Uchiage, who began training under his father “And in some countries they also get Kenzo, opened the Steveston Karate a salary for training,’ he added. Club in 1973 and subsequently passed on his appreciation for the The popularity of karate is also much sport to his children. Toshi and his greater in many countries outside of sisters Hidemi and Sumi continue to North America, where it is still compete at a high level and have won primarily viewed as a peripheral‐like several honours in either the kata sport by mainstream media. The and/or kumite disciplines. European championships are broadcast by the equivalent of a Toshi, 27, began competing at the sports channel, Toshi said. Canadian championships at 15 years Eleven‐time Canadian senior men’s kata champion Toshi Uchiage of old and by 16 (in 2002) won the first But Toshi perseveres, not only Richmond continues to strive for his of 11 national senior men’s kata titles. first world karate title – Don Fennell excelling in competition but also Prior to winning his fourth title in inspiring others as head coach of a 2005, the previous individual record With a greater understanding of the program offered through the was three. skills he’s acquired, Toshi believes Thompson Community Centre. he’s more focused than earlier in his At 17, Toshi became the youngest While cognizant and respectful of the career. But he also realizes there are Canadian to ever compete at the 2002 traditional form of karate, Toshi is factors out of his control. senior world championships in also always mindful of the need to Madrid, Spain and two years later In a judged sport like karate, the tweak things. earned a bronze medal at the worlds differences between athletes can be in Monterrey, Mexico. But it’s the subtle—like last weekend at the US He says it’s always necessary to quest to become world champion that Open in Las Vegas where he lost in maintain proper technique. motivates him to continue training. the quarter‐finals. “If you have proper technique you “If I didn’t think I could win I’d say “Sometimes calls don’t go your can generate more power and go let’s go do something else,” he says. way,” he said. “But there is always faster,” he explains. “I’ve sacrificed quite a bit to get to something to learn, and you learn “I’m always trying to become where I am right now and I don’t more when you lose. Even when quicker. When we talk power, even want that to go to waste.” you win though, you always need on the world stage, there are few that Though he’s always set high goals, to reflect on your performance and generate that (elite level) so that’s Toshi didn’t expect the almost instant keep improving so one day you can why also becoming faster is so success he enjoyed early in his be on top of the world.” important to me.” competitive career. And he probably didn’t appreciate how much it takes Next up for Toshi is the North to just make it to the world American Cup April 27 in Mexico championships, which are held every and the Senior Pan American Karate two years. But with age comes Championships May 16 to 18 in experience and wisdom. Argentina.

25 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 400 take part At the Provincials in 40th Steveston Invitational Japan Consul Yoshiyuki, Takeshi Uchiage, and Mr. And Mrs. Seiji Odaka of the consulate More than 400 competitors, including athletes from Ve ne z u e la , Athletes enjoyed themselves Black Belt Kata winners: Colombia, Belgium, Holland, under good refereeing, no matter Mauritius, US, Montreal, Toronto, the outcome of their match. Women’s Kata: Hidemi Uchiage Mississauga and Team Alberta defeated her sister Sumi Uchiage. took part in the 40th Steveston MLA John Yap attended and Invitational Tournament. gave a speech at noon. (Both are on the Sr. Canadian National Team, the last three The new Consul General of National titles have been split Japan, Seiji Okada, and his wife, between them: two for Hidemi, one as well as consulate Yo s h i yu k i for Sumi) Tomi attended the competition. Men’s Kata: 10‐time Sr. Canadian The tournament started at 9 a.m. Champion Toshihide Uchiage. and finished before 6 p.m. with the use of six rings. Black Belt Kumite winners:

The Ve ne z u e la n team had very Women ‐60 kg: Vienna Krumwiede strong performances for Kumite (Bellevue, WA) and Kata. Women Open: Kristie Schafer (Team Alberta)

Men ‐70 Kg: World Club Champion, Jhosed Ortuno, Venezuela Toshi Uchiage Men Open: Mario Toro Jr., Venezuela This was not only a big Karate — Submitted tournament for athletes.

Three WKF officials were present and educated over 35 licensed officials.

Charles Sweigart, who officiated at the WKF Senior Wo r ld Championship in Paris, answered questions from officials. Also many international champions and medalist were present. 26 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 At the Provincials Uchiage wins 11th straight title at Canadian Karate Championships

Richmond News Calgary, to compete at this monthʹs Championships in Argentina in May April 3, 2013 North American Cup in Mexico. as members of the senior national They also will be heading to the team. Toshi Uchiage continued his Senior Pan American Karate dominance at the recent Canadian Karate Championships in Toronto.

The Steveston Karate Club member captured his 11th straight national title. The 27‐year‐old established a new record when he captured his fourth consecutive championship back in 2005. He hasnʹt looked back since.

Uchiage also won five straight titles at the junior level, after making his debut at nationals when he was 16.

His victory also makes it 21 consecutive years a Steveston member has won a national title.

His sister, Sumi Uchiage, added to the medal haul by capturing bronze with a decisive 5‐0 victory in her match. She earlier was edged 3‐2 in the semi‐finals.

Seiya Takeuchi also took home bronze in the menʹs U21 Kata Division. He too rolled to a 5‐0 victory after a close semi‐final loss.

Seiya Takeuchi, Brandon Wilson and Roshan Kumar also represented B.C. in the Kumite Divisions. All three fought very well, coming close to a medal.

Toshi and Sumi will be joined by their sister Hidemi, who lives in

Thien Nguyen won silver in men’s kata at the Nationals — Sarah Perez photos 27 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 Local student fourth at nationals

Sunshine Coast Coast Reporter April 5, 2013

Lazar Williams had an exemplary performance with a fourth place finish at the recent Canadian national Alex Atamanenko, MP British Columbia Southern Interior (centre), instructs part of karate championships in Toronto. the Spring Seminar hosted by the Castlegar Karate Club at Kinnaird Hall on Lazar is on a recent roll of success as a Saturday, March 30. Instructor Maurice Doucet said about 30 karate enthusiasts took part, many from Castlegar and the local area and some from as far away as Airdrie member of the Kaigan Karate Club. and Calgary, Alta. — Marvin Beatty Last November, he placed third at the B.C. provincial championships, Castlegar Karate Club hosts Spring earning him membership in Team B.C. To be chosen to be a part of the Seminar and gives back to the community Elite Team B.C. he then had to qualify Castlegar News belt has modified the style to fit their top two at selections, at which he March 30, 2013 own physique and personality. placed second. After months of intensive training he travelled to The Castlegar Karate Club hosted the ʺSmaller people may be more Toronto to compete in the nationals. annual Spring Seminar at Kinnaird technical, for example,ʺ said Doucet. Hall on Saturday, March 30 and ʺSomeone bigger may be more “I never expected to come this far,” Sunday March 31. aggressive.ʺ said Lazar, who is preparing for the Zone 5 tournament in April in order Karate enthusiasts, numbering Doucet said that after the third to qualify for next year’s around 30, came from nearby areas degree black belt level (where the competitions. and from as far away as the wearer is teaching and learning communities of Airdrie and Calgary additional skills with weapons and He would like to thank all the Coast in Alberta. self‐defence), higher degrees are sponsors who contributed to his typically based not on testing but considerable travel expenses. He is Part of Karate BC, the recognized more nuanced things, like grateful to the Team B.C. coach Jason governing body for karate‐do (karate) community and association Ferguson for all his help and hard in British Columbia, the Castlegar involvement. work. Team B.C.’s head coach, Nicole Karate Club has been active in the Poirier received coach of the year community for decades and practices Doucet said the club prides itself on award at the national championships. a style called Shotokan. giving back to the community. Thanks go as well to his parents, Instructor Maurice Doucet, a fifth ʺWe take any left over money at the friends and other club members who degree black belt, said he has been end of the year and create bursaries showed their support and, most involved in helping organize the for Stanley Humphries Secondary importantly, his sensei Dallas Grieve Spring Seminar since the early 1980s. School grads who are planning to who has devoted 11 years to his There are eight levels of belts, attend Selkirk College,ʺ said Doucet. martial arts development. denoting varying degrees of This year, the club is providing two competence in karate skills and bursaries valued at $450 each. knowledge. Doucet said a black belt indicates Doucet can be reached at 250‐365‐ someone has a grasp of the basics. 7399 for those interested in learning Someone with a second degree black more.

28 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 At the Provincials Medal haul for Island brothers

Brian Drewry Times Colonist April 3, 2013

(Excerpt) — The Newell brothers left their mark at the recent national karate championships in Toronto. Geoffrey, 17, and Jean, 14, returned home to Victoria with multiple medals.

Geoffrey and Jean, both black belts who train with Fernando Correia in Duncan and Kraig Devlin in Victoria, helped lead B.C. to the gold medal in team kata (forms) in the 14‐17‐year‐ old division, while Geoffrey went on to win a silver medal in fighting (kumite) in the 55‐kilogram division. Geoffrey Newell of Victoria is Karate Canada’s junior male athlete of the year. He Geoffrey was also named the top received his award from KC’s executive director Olivier Pineau — Dick Grant photo junior male athlete of the year. Newell bros win gold at national karate champs

Victoria News (sparring) in the sub‐55 kilograms March 26, 2013 junior men’s category for 16‐ and 17 ‐year‐olds. Oak Bay’s teenaged karate brothers Jean and Geoffrey Newell are national Jean and Geoffrey defeated Ontario champions. team in Team Kata with a nearly a perfect score. Jean, 14, and Geoffrey, 17, partnered The win qualifies them as members with Emlyn Folkes to win gold in the Geoffrey and Jean Newell — Victoria of Team Canada with a chance to Team Kata event for boys aged 14 to News photos 17 years old at Karate Canada’s represent Canada at the Pan national championships in Toronto, American Games in Columbia this March 15 to 17. summer.

Geoffrey took home three awards, including being named the top junior male karate athlete of the year by Karate Canada.

Geoffrey also won silver in Kumite 29 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 At the Provincials Nationals inspire karate athletes Nanaimo News Bulletin March 26, 2013

Two Nanaimo teens returned from karate nationals with medals and with some more inspiration, too.

Emlyn Folkes and Bernadette Alvarez of Shima Karate were part of Team B.C. at Karate Canada’s national championships in Toronto from March 15‐17.

Folkes earned gold in team forms, while Alvarez earned a silver in individual forms and a bronze in sparring.

Alvarez, 17, has been to nationals before and was determined to do well this time around.

“The previous years I didn’t do so Emlyn Folkes and Bernadette Alvarez well and I really don’t like leaving “You think, wow, they’re incredible, other people who are really, really things on a bad note like that, so and you think, we’ve got such a good and it’s so much fun to see,” generally I would keep trying,” she solid team, how are we going to she said. said. lose? And then [at nationals] you see Folkes said nationals were really someone that’s even better,” he said. She stuck with her aggressive style in inspiring. the sparring but also heeded her “It’s amazing.” “I saw a lot of different techniques Alvarez said nationals are always that work for a lot of people that are fun, and also a valuable opportunity much better,” he said. “So I can to gauge herself. choose techniques, like, ‘OK, I want “And I get to see these people who to try that.’” are really, really good go against [email protected] coach’s instructions, she said, to help her do well. It was a battle, though. Karate trio medal in Toronto Surrey Leader while Anisha Virk won the bronze “If you’re a very linear fighter, it’s March 30, 2013 in the women’s under‐21 ‐53kg. not a good thing,” she said. “You end up getting kicked in the head and Three members of the Surrey thrown a lot.” Karate Academy won medals at See us on Facebook the national championships in Folkes, 16, was making his first trip and keep an eye on to nationals. He said while training Toronto. our website with Team B.C. leading up to the Shaun Dhillon in the men’s +84 kg. event, he found himself matched up class and Jusleen Virk in women’s www.karatebc.org with strong teammates. ‐50kg. both won gold medals, 30 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 At atthe the nationals. Provincials The number is particularly impressive considering the rest of the B.C. team managed another two gold, two silver and four bronze in kumite.

Matt Ly won two medals, taking second in the 18‐to‐20 menʹs u‐68 kg. He also placed third in the menʹs category.

Cedomir Vasic was runner‐up at plus78 kg. Vasic also placed fourth in the menʹs u‐84 kg.

In the 16/17 age class, Callan Evans earned silver at plus‐76 kg, while Harpreet Sidhu was second at plus‐59 kg. Alexandra Zaborniak also had a second place in the 14/15 girlsʹ u‐54 kg. BC Team member Shaun Dhillon was winner of Karate Canada’s Senior Male Athlete of the Year and also awarded the Sportsmanship award. He also won the Cindy Jacob and Kim Logan both senior men’s kumite and the men’s open weight kumite. With him is Karate won bronze medals in the womenʹs Canada’s volunteer of the year Christine Béchard — Dick Grant photo 68 kg weight class.

Anisha Virk was third in 18‐to‐20 Karate academy garners girlsʹ u‐53 kg. Rachel Ko was third in the 16/17 u‐48 kg class. best results at nationals Joel Tai and Kyle Macmillan both came third in their respective 14/15 weight divisions. By Tom Berridge, in sparring, said BKAʹs Sandeep The New Westminster Record Gill. Andrea Maikawa marked her 10th March 27, 2013 and final appearance at the nationals The academy also had three gold with a fourth‐place finish in the The Burnaby Karate Academy won medallists in the teen divisions. seven gold medals at the recent womenʹs u61 kg. Izzy Chan and Brendon Ly both national championships held in Maikawa will still compete in open won in the 16/17 age class, taking Toronto on March 15 to 17. tournaments while also focusing on gold in the girlsʹ u‐48 kg and boysʹ coaching at the Burnaby academy Shaun Dhillon won the male grand plus‐76 kg classes, respectively. dojo. championship and sportsmanship Isaac Mand also won in the 14/15 award, while taking top spot in both boysʹ u57 kg category. Another Burnaby academy veteran the menʹs plus‐84 kilograms and open and coach Matt Bickel also placed The Burnaby academy also had five weight sparring classes. fourth in the menʹs u‐75 kg sparring. silver and seven bronze medallists Arash Beytoei took gold in the menʹs Victoria Barusic, a Burnaby resident under‐67 kg, kumite, while Jusleen who trains out of West River, won Virk also won the womenʹs u50kg gold in the 18‐20 girlsʹ kata or forms division. and a bronze in sparring at u‐50 kg.

In the past 10 years, B.C. has had only [email protected] two male and three female champions

31 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013

At “Ithe had toProvincials be able to step it up and bring it right away,” said Tribe, who Karate kids earn spot is a national team member, but because he turns 16 in May, he is too on national team old for the 14/15‐year‐old category. “It’s pretty exciting. Penticton Western News March 26, 2013 Tribe said, he called his opponent “Skyscraper” because of his height. Taneda Karate Dojo had three of four With his opponent having that members reach the podium during advantage, Tribe said he couldn’t get the Canada national championship in too close. Toronto March 15 to 17. “I had to make sure I was fast and Kelowna’s Avneet and Sukhresh good with my timing, figuring out Kaloty won silver and bronze, while when to go,” he said. Penticton’s Jackson Tribe and Will Wright won gold and placed fifth, Ditson said with each match, Tribe respectively. got better.

Athletes from across the country “It gives him a lot of confidence,” said compete in the championship to earn Ditson. a spot on the national team. When asked about his work ethic, Mike Ditson, coach for Team B.C., Ditson said Tribe, 15, rises to the said Tribe picked the “perfect place occasion. and time for a best performance.” “He loves competition,” said Ditson. Ditson was thrilled about it because Tribe had a tough year due to Tribe’s teammate Wright, who made surgery last summer. his national championship debut, works just has hard in practice as he Gold medallist Jackson Tribe “It took him a while to get going,” does in matches. said Ditson. “I think what really turned it around for him was he “I had already fought the guy before “He’s pretty fit and he works really went to a tournament in February and I’d won,” said Tribe, who hard in training,” said Ditson. and he fought in a very tough breezed through his first three bouts “National championships is mainly division there. Every competitor was before Verzunov. “We had a couple for black belts. He has to put in a little a member of the B.C. team going to hours from our division to the final extra work. In every match he nationals and he beat every one of to prepare. I was watching him and performed very well. Will has a lot of them. I think that really helped build he was doing a lot of different stuff. skill. For him in his first year to get a his confidence for the nationals.” I knew it was going to be a lot top‐five finish is pretty good.” harder of a fight. I just made sure I Tribe, a brown belt, said it felt good didn’t let him get any good points Wright, a blue belt, said the national to perform as he did but admitted he on me and kept it low.” championship was intense. was in shock while on the podium after defeating Ontario’s Max It’s the second trip to nationals for “Everyone is a good athlete out Verzunov. Tribe. He won a bronze medal his there,” said Wright, who was first time. Tribe, who will represent disappointed with how his final bout Canada at the U.S. Open in Las went as he was winning 1‐0 lost when Vegas this weekend, said all the he couldn’t block a kick. competitors had something different His first match was against the to watch for. Having experience eventual silver medalist, who from last year, Tribe knew what to expect from the level and intensity. (Continued on page 33)

32 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 Newell brothersAt the karate Provincials jewels

Cowichan News Leader Pictorial provincials and will be going again. March 27, 2013 Fernandes won bronze in the 12‐13 kata and silver in kumite while The five members of the Fernando Marcelic picked up a bronze medal Correia School of Karate who for 10‐11 kata. entered the Zone 6 Karate B.C. playoffs in Nanaimo more than Saran Singh will get to attend the doubled their numbers in the medal provincials for the first time and is count. very excited about going after claiming gold in 14‐15 kata. Geoffrey Newell led the way with three medals in different kata divisions — gold for 16‐17 and open and bronze for 18‐20 — and another gold for 16‐17 in kumite.

Jean Newell earned a gold in 14‐15 Avneet Kaloty won silver and silver in 16‐17 for kata, with a

Karate kids gold in 14‐15 kumite. ʺAs usual, the Newell brothers did The provincials take place May 25 (Continued from page 32) amazing and they have trained very and 26 at the Oval in Richmond. hard,ʹʹ noted FCSKʹs Loretta Schwab. Meanwhile, Sensei Fernando Correia, knocked Wright’s contact lens out The Newells went on to compete in whom the school is named after, within the first 10 seconds with a kick. the team kata category in Toronto. recently received a Queenʹs Diamond “It was a pretty intense match,” he Jubilee Medal from Premier Christy Josh Fernandes and Jacob Marcelic said. “I tried to score a point in the last Clark for all his hard work in karate both attended the last Karate B.C. second, but I only scored one flag and and sports in general. you need two flags to get another point.”

Going into the championship, Wright said he just didn’t want to have a bad experience.

“I didn’t want to have any regrets,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting anything crazy because it was my first national championship. It would have been great if I was to medal.”

Sukhresh and Avneet are eligible for the North America Cup in Mexico at the end of April. Avneet is also eligible for the North America Cup as well at the junior Pan‐Ams in Columbia in August. Dick Grant photo Team B.C. finished with 17 gold medals, 12 silver and 20 bronze. BC Team members, right, Emlyn Folkes, Jean and Geffrey Newell won the team kata male cadets and juniors at the Karate Canada 2013 National Championship 33 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 Taneda Karate dojoAt athletesthe Provincials perform well at karate nationals

Kelowna Capital News March 24, 2013

Four members of the Taneda Karate Dojo participated in the 2013 Karate Canada National Championships in Toronto from March 15 to 17 competing against competitors from across the country to compete for spots on Canadaʹs national Karate team.

Karate is one of five sports trying to get into the 2020 Olympic Games. In From left Will Wright, Avneet Kaloty, Mike Ditson, Sukhresh Kaloty, Jackson Tribe the future the karate nationals would North America Cup in Mexico and be the first step for qualifying for the Team member in the match that the Junior Pan‐American Olympics. would have put him back into the Championships in Columbia. final. He would lose that fight but Here is a look at how the local win the bronze medal, qualifying Sukhresh Kaloty was competing in competitors performed. him for the National Team and where his fourth nationals and first in the he can represent Canada at the North Under‐21 age category. He had a Jackson Tribe was competing in his America Cup in Mexico. second nationals had an amazing very strong tournament, opening by tournament. He breezed through his winning his first fight convincingly. Will Wright competed in his first first three fights on his way to the National Championships in a very In his second match Kaloty ran into final only giving up one point against tough division and a tough draw. a strong competitor from Ontario, him along the way. Wright lost to the eventual gold losing his second match. In the medalist in his first fight. In the repechage (second chance) bracket In the final he had a very tough fight repechage he won two fights before Kaloty started fighting very well. against a competitor from Ontario losing to the eventual silver medalist, but Tribe held on and managed to He won his first match and then placing him fifth. win his first National Title becoming matched up against a tough fighter the second person from the Taneda The four athletes from the Taneda from Quebec. The fight remained 0‐ Karate Dojo in the last two years to Karate Dojo were part of the 72 0 for the majority of the fight until win gold at the National Kaloty was able to take down the members from Karate BC that Championships. Quebec fighter and score with two competed at the Nationals along with Avneet Kaloty was also competing in seconds left on the clock. BC team coach Mike Ditson. her second nationals and fought her Kaloty then fought a fellow B.C. way through three very tough fights The BC Team was in top form on her way to the finals. winning 17 Gold, 12 Silver and 20 Bronze. The 17 Gold medals is In the final she fought very hard believed to be a Karate BC record. against the defending Canadian champion but had to settle for the Editor’s note — This article and picture silver medal. Kaloty qualified for the also were featured at PeachlandNews.com National Team and can represent on March 20,2013 and a shorter version on Canada at upcoming events like the Castanet.net on March 19, 2013

34 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 At werethe runners-up. Provincials BKA tops karate team selection Unaffiliated BKA products Isaac Mand, Kyule Macmillan, Callan Evans and Virk and Aya Kitaoka were runners-up. By Tom Berridge, Brendan Wise also earned Team B.C. The (New Westminster) Record On the boys' side, Masaki Soehardhi, selection. Jai Sanghera and Brendan Ly were January 30, 2013 Victoria Barusic of Burnaby, who trains weight and age group winners. at West River was second in the 18-to-20 Burnaby Karate Academy placed the women's kata or forms. lion's share on Team B.C. following a Joel Tai, Zach Chan and Petar Didak recent selection tournament at Richmond Oval.

The Burnaby dojo earned 28 top-three Karate’s Newell brothers placements, including 18 first-place finishes, at the selection meet on Jan. 19. are nationals bound Vasic Cedomir and Matt Ly both qualified first in two separate divisions. Victoria News belt, had to defeat many black belts to Cedomir won the men's under-84 Feb. 13, 2013 win bronze in 2011. kilogram kumite, or sparring. He was also Jean just earned his black belt in 2012 as unchallanged at plus-78 kg in the 18-to- Karate’s Newell brothers have come a a 14-year-old, the minimum age, and he 20 age class. long way and they’re only getting and Geoffrey already have multiple started. provincial, national and international Ly bested clubmate Arash Beytoei in the medals to their name. men's u-67 kg kumite final. Ly also won Geoffrey, 17, and Jean, 14, took up at u-68 kg in the 18-to-20 division. karate six years ago and from that Last weekend they were in Vancouver point they’ve been focused on where they picked up so many medals Beytoei also placed second to Shaun they need mom to keep track of them all. Dhillon, who does much of his training at reaching the world championships. BKA, in the men's open class. Geoffrey’s kata is so clean he won gold “They were only three months in Logan Kim was another double winner in when we showed them a video of the not only in his 16- and 17-year-old sparring, taking first in the 18-to-20 worlds and they started mimicking the divisions, but in the 18 to 20 and men's women's plus-60 kg division and the Team Kata movements from the black open divisions as well. He also took gold women's plus68 kg. belt competition,” said mother in kumite (sparring) amongst 16-and 17- year-olds for his weight class of sub-55 Brigette. Andrea Maikawa won the women's u-61 kilograms, and was second in the next age kg, while Cindy Jacob and Inga Shishko among the 18 to 20 year olds. Right then mom and dad, David, were first and second, respectively, at u- knew if the boys could reproduce 68 kg. Inga Shishko was runner-up in the elements of the black belt Kata from Like big brother, Jean won gold in his age open women's kumite. the world championships, which is the and weight class for kumite and kata, and won silver in the next age group up for Matt Bickel was first overall in the men's highest level of the choreographed series of movements, then the sky was kumite. For those doing the math, that u-75 kg. meant Jean lost to Geoffrey in the kumite the limit. 16-17 category. Jean also won two gold The Burnaby dojo also produced a and two silver at the B.C. Winter Games number of team selections in the boys' It’s been one step at a time, but things in 2012. and girls' divisions. are going fast. Vanessa Vung, Alexandria Zaborniak, Home schooled out of Oak Bay, the boys The brothers are currently training 20 Harpreet Sidhu, Isabel Chan, Gurkamal maximize their flexible schedule by hours a week for the Karate Canada Gill and Cassia Kitaoka all won at their traveling twice a week to Duncan where National Championships, March 15 to weight and age class. Rachel Ko, Anisha they train and teach at the Fernando 17 in Toronto. Correia School of Karate.

“Team Kata takes a lot of practise, Here in town they train with black belt you really have to feel where the Kraig Devlin twice a week. At nationals (other person) is at,” Geoffrey said. Geoffrey will spar in the individual kumite against fellow 16 and 17 year It’s the first nationals for Jean, and the olds, and the brothers will compete in the second for Geoffrey, who, as a brown Team Kata 14- to 17-year-old division.

35 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013

At 18the‐20‐year Provincials‐old men ‐ Scott Zmae ff, first, forms, first, weapons.

10‐13‐year‐old mixed ‐ Liam Surry, second, weapons, third, team forms; Amelia Cooper, second, team forms; Corin Cooper, second, team forms; Hannah Darmadi, second, team forms; Coen Francis, third, team forms; Christina Craig, third, team forms.

Eight‐nine‐year‐old girls ‐ Jade Fearn, second, forms, second, sparring; Aurora Surry, second, forms/

10‐11‐year‐old girls ‐ Hannah Darmadi, first, forms, third, sparring, first, weapons; Amelia Cooper, third, forms, second, sparring; Claire Bilyk, first, forms, second, sparring; Mackenzie Khakh, second, forms, Karate kids win at qualifiers first, sparring. 12‐13‐year‐old girls ‐ Olivia Vallee, Nanaimo News Bulletin first, weapons; Tristan Billington, second, forms, first, sparring; February 16, 2013 second forms, first, sparring; Samantha Wolff, third, forms, third, Isaiah Rigg, third, forms, second, sparring; Morgan Burke, second, Nanaimo’s Shima Karate School will sparring; Joel Bilyk, first, sparring; sparring; Octavia Jurczyk, second, have have high hopes at provincials Jordan Khakh, third, sparring. after positive playoff results. sparring. 12‐13‐year‐old boys ‐ Levi 14‐15‐year‐old girls ‐ Rebecca The school hosted the zone Thomas, first, forms, first, Evenson, third, forms, second, championships Sunday at Dover Bay sparring; Joshua Colonna, second, sparring. Secondary School. The event was a forms; Evan Milne, first, forms, qualifier for provincials in Richmond 16‐17‐year‐old girls ‐ Bernadette in the spring. Alvarez, first, forms, third, sparring; Forty athletes from Shima combined Leticia Lethbridge, first, forms, to win 73 medals. Results include: second, sparring.

Seven‐and‐under boys ‐ Simon 17‐and‐under women ‐ Christina Francis, first, sparring, third, forms; Craig, second, weapons. Adam Welch, third, sparring. third, sparring; Zahnil Lal, first, 18‐20‐year‐old women ‐ Bernadette sparring. Eight‐nine‐year‐old boys ‐ Joshua Alvarez, first, sparring. Darmadi, second, forms, third, 14‐15‐year‐old boys ‐ James Menʹs ‐ Scott Zmaeff, second, forms; sparring, third, weapons; Soma Love, winter, third, forms, first, Devon McBeth, first, forms, first, first, forms, second, sparring; Jaiden sparring. sparring. King, second, forms, first, sparring; 16‐17‐year‐old boys ‐ Emlyn Levi Ronkatainen, third, sparring. Womenʹs ‐ Bernadette Alvarez, Folkes, third, forms, first, second, forms, first, sparring. 10‐11‐year‐old boys ‐ Corin Cooper, sparring; Matthew Landry, first, first, forms, first, sparring, first, forms, first, sparring. Masters menʹs ‐ Richard Cooper, weapons; Coen Francis, first, forms, first, forms, first, sparring. 36 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 At the Provincials Steveston Karate Club marks 40 years

Richmond Review By Matthew Hoekstra

The Steveston Karate Club celebrated 40 years last Saturday by hosting an annual tournament known to draw competitors from around the world.

Over 400 martial artists from as far away as Venezuela and Belgium gathered at Steveston Community Centreʹs indoor tennis court facility for the invitational tournament.

ʺIt is one of the biggest tournaments Karate competitors put their best foot forward last Saturday at Steveston in North America,ʺ said Jim Kojima, Community Centre as part of a major tournament. ‐‐ Kaz Yamamura photo president of the Steveston Community Society. Schafer (womenʹs 60 kilogram) and Wakayama, Japan, which also Vienna Krumwiede (womenʹs open); became the City of Richmondʹs sister Jhosed Ortuno (menʹs 70 kilogram); city that year. Mario Toro Jr. (menʹs open). The club has grown since then and is The Steveston Karate Club was born known for providing a high calibre of in 1973 with the help of sensei karate instruction. Takeshi Uchiage and the mayor of The event also drew some of the top officials in the sport, along with international and national champion athletes. The Consul General of Japan in Vancouver, Seiji Okada, also attended the event.

Action got underway at 9 a.m. in six rings. At dayʹs end, tow winners were named in the Black Belt Kata Division. On the womenʹs side, Hidemi Uchiage defeated her sister Sumi Uchiage for the title. For the men, Toshihide Uchiage—a 10‐time senior Canadian champion—won.

Black Belt Kumite winners: Kristie Seiya Takeuchi (Steveston) versus Andrew Moore (Stockton, California) 37 Karate BC NEWS • Spring 2013 At the Provincials Fortius project welcomes tenants

By Gary Kingston, Olympians in 2010, announced a Vancouver Sun partnership with the Fortius Foundation May 14, 2013 that led to the relocation of two leading strength and conditioning professionals METRO VANCOUVER ‐ The huge to the Burnaby complex. gymnasium was empty on this day. Large chunks of the office space still need to be Mining executive Scott Cousens, whose constructed. And the dozens of state‐of‐ family donated $23 million a year ago to the‐art treadmills and other exercise get the centre finished, said he believes equipment were idle. the facility, which will also provide accommodation for visiting groups of But just days into its “soft opening,” it athletes or teams, is the best of its kind in wasn’t difficult Monday to envision the organization, which can take advantage North America. spectacular Fortius Athlete Development of the proximity of running tracks at Burnaby Central high school, Swangard Centre in Burnaby being filled with the “All of us working together over the next Stadium and the trails around Burnaby sound of high‐performance and number of years will make it a destination Lake. recreational athletes taking advantage of in North America,” he said. “And we’re the latest advances in exercise physiology “It’s a piece of the puzzle that we were already making international contacts.” and sports medicine. waiting for to initiate a provincial While supporting and developing elite training centre environment,” said The $61 million, privately‐built centre level athletes was one of driving forces McCalder, who hopes to establish a adjacent to the Burnaby Lake Sports behind creating the centre, the people distance‐running training group out of Complex announced on Monday the running it are also reaching out to the area now that one of Canada’s top inaugural group of provincial sport recreational athletes. organizations and retail partners that will marathoners, Dylan Wykes, has set up shop in the 146,000‐square foot relocated to Metro Vancouver. “Those of us who have been involved in building. sport for a long time know that there are McCalder said the expertise athletes can so many more people becoming active,” access outside of their coach – “to be BC Athletics, Curl BC, Canoe‐Kayak BC, said Lynda Cannell , the centre’s chief able to tap into biomechanists, exercise Karate BC, BC Water Polo and Synchro operating officer. BC have joined founding partner, Sport physiologists, massage therapists” ‐‐ is MedBC, a network of more than 600 sport one of the biggest benefits. “It’s using the principles behind working medical practitioners, BC School Sports with elite athletes and applying that to Curl BC CEO Scott Braley, who said the and the Roman Tulis European Soccer everyday people.” move to Burnaby from Richmond will school of excellence as tenants. save his organization about $8,000 a She said monthly memberships, “at With the dismantling of the Sport BC‐led year, said the centre will expose young market rates,” will be available for people administration centre in Richmond, the curlers to “the very latest in training to access the performance conditioning Fortius project, which was 15 per cent techniques that they may not see in just facilities and other sport and health built in 2008 before being mothballed for being involved in one specific sport. resources. four years because of rising construction “They’ll see what all the top athletes are costs, represents the largest sport system [email protected] doing and realize that they need to do cluster in B.C. that as well.” In addition to the sport organizations Last month, B2ten, the privately sector See also the Vancouver Province and the moving into the facility, Pharmasave, business group that played a key role in Burnaby News Leader FitFirst Footwear and SportMed will have helping prepare some of Canada’s top retail outlets in the building’s atrium. http://www.theprovince.com/news/ Pharmasave is already open, while stop+wellness+shop+fitness+rehab+runni FitFirst and SportMed will open in the ng+Burnaby/8379354/ summer. story.html#ixzz2TOycU4GW

Brian McCalder of B.C. Athletics said he http://www.burnabynewsleader.com/ likes the idea of centralized services for news/207398981.html athletes. And the location is perfect for his

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