Locals show strong in Toronto

Kelowna Karate & Fitness enjoyed incredible results at the JKA National Black Belt Karate Championships in Toronto this past weekend.

With the best athletes from around the country meeting in Toronto, Kelowna Karate & Fitness Dojo sent five members who returned with seven medals. This is a huge success for the Okanagan Valley and Kelowna dojo steadily increasing their medal count each time.

Each athlete placed top three in their divisions, which had over 30 athletes in some divisions.

“Overwhelmed with joy with how our B.C. team competed with such tenacity and honour for the event,” said Kelowna coach and world athlete Paul Atkin. “B.C. was definitely the loudest and most energetic group, that gave our athletes a lot of motivation. Incredibly proud how our athletes performed for this National event.

“This is just the start for our group with the World Championships in Japan, Tokyo for 2020,” added Akin.

Here are the full results for Kelowna Karate & Fitness from the championships in Toronto:

Tyson Cragg — gold medal (1st place) Kumite, silver medal (2nd place) Kata

Paul Atkin — silver medal (2nd place) Men’s kumite, bronze medal (3rd place) Men’s team kata

Kanako Hirokami — bronze medal (3rd place) Women’s team kata

Shaila Thomson — bronze medal (3rd place) Women’s team kata

Liam Friesen — bronze medal (3rd place) Kata, 4th kumite

Special to The Daily Courier Kelowna Karate & Fitness members, from left, David Douda, August Nizzo McIntosh, Tyson Cragg, Sara Sharp, Sensei Don Sharp, Shaila Thomson, Kanako Hirokami, Liam Friesen and Sensei Paul Atkin.