While many were gardening or
sitting back and relaxing Victoria Day
long weekend 5 students from RMA Karate
traveled to Ottawa to compete at the WKC
Canadian national team trials. The
5 martial artists qualified for the
nationals after making the top 8 at the
Ontario regional’s last month.
The 3 day event brought martial artists
from across Canada competing for a spot
in their respective divisions. With
only the top 3 from each division
securing their spot as a member of the
Canadian karate team, emotions were high
and the talent was the best from across
the nation.
Day one and two (Friday & Saturday)
were the elimination rounds were only the
top 6 from each division advanced to
the finals on Sunday.
15 year old blue belt Tyler M-Z put on an
amazing performance at his first national
trials advancing to the finals in two
divisions. Competing among seasoned
martial artists from the previous
year’s team,Tyler finished fifth in
the 13-15yrs
Chinese forms division and sixth in the
13-15yrs traditional weapons forms.
Placements of fourth to sixth give
competitors
the alternate member position.
Meaning if for any reason a team member
is unable to attend the world
championships an
alternate takes their place.
10 year old green belt Brooke Z was
nervous at her first national event but
nerves did not prevent her from winning
bronze in 12yrs & under Korean
forms. She also secured her spot as
an alternate in the 12yrs & under
Chinese forms after
finishing fourth.
Blue belt Jacob G gave a strong showing
winning gold in the 12yrs & under
Chinese forms, silver in the 12yrs &
under
plus 50kg continuous sparring and
becoming an alternate in the plus 50kg
point sparring division after finishing
fourth.
It was the second year for
eleven-year-old brown belt Samantha M at
the nationals. Having been part of
last year’s
national team she knew what to expect and
did not hesitate to give everything she
had providing a strong performance.
Samantha won silver in the 12 yrs &
under minus 50kg continuous sparring,
silver in Korean forms, bronze in the
Chinese
forms and alternate in the freestyle
forms after placing fifth.
Black belt Tressa Y had no time for rest
this weekend as she competed in eleven
divisions, one right after the
other. The
fifteen-year-old competed in the 13-15yrs
division and was the only competitor who
competed in every division offered.
Tressa collected 10 medals in the end
after winning gold in the continuous
sparring, extreme forms, musical weapons,
traditional weapons, creative weapons,
hard traditional forms, Korean forms and
point sparring (minus 55kg). Tressa
won silver in the freestyle forms and
Chinese forms while also securing an
alternate spot in the team forms with
Jacob after
placing fourth.
The five karate students from the Barrie
area who are Portugal bound at the end of
October to attend the WKC world
karate championships are hoping for
sponsorship while also doing fundraisers
in between their training schedule.
“They have worked so hard to get to
where they are and they still have a lot
of work ahead of them” head
instructor Craig
Ridout said. “These athletes
are responsible for their own expenses so
while they will be committed to their
training they will
also be spending a lot of time
fundraising and seeking sponsorship”
Ridout continued.
“We are so proud to not only be on
the Canadian team as official members and
alternates but also to represent our home
town of Barrie to the world” stated
black belt Tressa Young. To
learn more or to help with their
sponsorship call 716-8014.
.
Proud Member
of World
Karate & Kickboxing Council
Canada
