Yarmouth Karate Challenge Cup goes June 2 at Mariners Centre

Competition to start around 9 a.m., demonstrations planned for noon

Another big day of karate is on tap for the Mariners Centre in Yarmouth, where the annual Yarmouth Karate Challenge Cup will take place Saturday, June 2.

Competitors from Yarmouth to New Glasgow, as well as some out- of- province competitors – from both New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island – are slated to take part in the event.

The competition usually starts around 9 a.m. with juniors and the action goes until 5 p.m. or so.

The plan is to have several demonstrations between noon and 1 p.m.

This is the 16th year for Yarmouth Karate Challenge Cup, which traditionally has drawn an average of about 150 competitors, “but we don’t really know until the day of the competition how many we will have,” said event spokesman Milton Bourque.

Last year the tournament included a King of the Ring competition for both male and female participants in the 12-to-15-year age group and this is on the program for 2018 too.

“It was quite popular so we are having it again this year,” Bourque said.

There is no admission fee for people who would like to come out and see the action.

Saturday’s tournament will be preceded by a Friday night kumite ( sparring) clinic conducted by Mitchell German, past Canadian champion and cur- rent Nova Scotia provincial team head coach.

He will be joined by Randy Rix from Fredericton, N.B., Canadian national team coach, who also will provide commentary for MC Media’s coverage of the tournament. Members of Shoto Ryu Jutsu Karate in Yarmouth won medals in Charlottetown. In front: Austin Ellis. In back (from left): Michael Feener, Matthew Ellis, Ryder Lusk. A fifth representative of the local club – Rob Sweeney – went to the P.E.I. event as an official.