Thirty-four athletes from Kelowna Karate &Fitness Inc. returned home with 65 medals from the JKA-B.C. Karate Championships last weekend in Chilliwack.
Sensei Paul Atkin, owner and head instructor of the local club, was the winner of the elusive Sakurai Shihan Award, in addition to capturing gold medals in Kumite-free sparring and gold in Kata.
Other medals winners from Kelowna Karate &Fitness Inc. were: Maya Slauson (three gold), Tyson Cragg (two gold, one silver), Kaela Lindsell (two gold, one bronze), Shaila Thompson (two gold), Liam Friesen and Ashley Rand (one gold and two silver), Ryan Wakefield and Shayne Friesen (gold, silver, bronze), Bodo Papke, Juneia Danis and Geordie Adlem (gold and silver), Leigh Rucker (gold and bronze), Annika Ayudtod and Bryce Ramos (gold), Cody McGilland and Carlo Marlon Deniega (two silver, one bronze), Zach Hooson (one silver, two bronze), Cooper Wakefield, Julie Rand, Kristi Maltby, Micheal Danis and Aryanna Rucker (silver, bronze), Alexis Maltby and Giovanni Rivera (three bronze), Alka Sidhu, Larry Davidoff and Tyrel Heredia (two bronze), and Christopher Pan and Nyah Myden (bronze).
“I’m most proud that it was a positive experience for everyone, and seeing that the students that questioned their ability got the accolades they deserved,” Paul Atkin said of club’s performance at the event.
“It’s a big boost for them moving forward as a Karate-Ka. My hopes are our athletes experiences from provincials gives confidence to the next group willing to challenge competition. The hardest part sometimes can seem like the simplest thing like showing up time and time again.”