Four members of the Thompson Karate Club recently took part in the Joseph Kryschuk Memorial Friendship Tournament in The Pas Jan. 20.
The club ended up walking away from the tournament with eight medals in total, four in the choreographed portion known as kata, and four in the sparring section of the competition, also known as kumite.
The big winners from the tournament included:
· Max Nerbas (bronze in kata, silver in kumite for males aged 8–9)
· Teyara Braun (gold in kata and kumite for females aged 8–9)
· Gerry de Beer (gold in kata, silver in kumite for males aged 10–11)
· Pamela Lawhead (gold in kata and kumite for adult females)
Although this was a smaller medal haul compared to previous years, sensei Peter de Beer said many of his pupils still qualified for the national tournament, which is going to be held in The Pas April 21.
De Beer went on to say that his students are more motivated than ever to compete, since they know that karate will make its first appearance as an Olympic sport at the 2020 Games in Tokyo, Japan.
“So if people can start training for it, they can get ready for it, and whoever fits the bill will be able to go,” he said.
The Thompson Karate Club holds classes every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at École Communautaire La Voie du Nord.
