Athletes from Chilliwack continue to shine on the world stage in all forms of sport, and karate is no exception.
Five students from the Valley Shidokan Karate Club in Chilliwack competed in the Japan Karate Association National Championship in Montreal last Sunday (May 19), where all five secured spots in the association’s World Championship in Tokyo later this year.
The tournament boasted over 200 competitors from all across the country.
Chilliwack’s Ben Krakower, Vian Thoma and Bjorn Thoma all competed in the boy’s division, with the former two walking away with medals. Amanda Homme and Tammy Miller rounded out the girl’s side with both collecting top three finishes.
Krakower grabbed the club’s best result taking gold in the boy’s aged 14 division in the Kata (form) category. Vian Thoma competed in the boys 16-to-18 category earning himself a bronze in the Kata category and a fourth-place finish in the Kumite (fighting) category.
Vian’s older brother Bjorn was active in the 19-to-21 division where he battled his way to a fourth-place finish in Kumite.
Homme earned herself a silver in Kata and a fourth-place finish in Kumite, with Miller – one of the club’s most experienced students – the only to medal in both categories, picking up silver and bronze medals in the Kumite and Kata categories respectively.
The five athletes represented Team B.C. at the event with the province as a whole, producing what was a successful showing with plenty of the athletes securing berths to the World Championships.
Valley Shidokan Sensei Don Sharp will also be accompanying his students as a member of the Team Canada coaching staff. Sharp himself is no stranger to competing at the highest level having won a world title back in 1996, among many other international accolades.
The tournament is set for October 25-27 in Tokyo.
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