Four members of the Taneda Karate Dojo participated in the 2013 Karate Canada National Championships in Toronto from March 15-17. The National Championships brings competitors from across the country to compete for spots on the National Karate Team.
Karate is one of five sports under consideration for the 2020 Olympic Games. Organizers hope this tournament will eventually be the first step for qualifying for the Olympics.
Jackson Tribe competing in his second Nationals had an amazing tournament. Jackson breezed through his first three fights on his way to the final only giving up one point against him along the way. In the final he had a very tough fight against a competitor from Ontario but, Jackson held on and managed to win his first national title.
Tribe is the second person from the Taneda Karate Dojo in the last two years to win Gold at the National Championships.
Avneet Kaloty also competing in her second sationals, fought her way through three very tough fights on her way to the finals.
In the final she fought hard against the defending champion but had to settle for the silver medal.
Kaloty qualified for the national team and can represent Canada at upcoming events like the North America Cup in Mexico and the Junior Pan-American Championships in Columbia.
Sukhresh Kaloty competing in his fourth Nationals and first in the U21 age category, had a very strong tournament. Sukhresh won his first fight convincingly but ran into a strong competitor from Ontario in his second match. In the repechage bracket (second chance) Sukhresh Kaloty started fighting very well. He won his first match and then matched up against a tough fighter from Quebec. The fight remained 0-0 for the majority of the fight until Sukhresh was able to take down the Quebec fighter and score with two seconds left on the clock. Sukhresh then fought a fellow BC Team member in the match that would have put him back into the final. This fight didn’t go Sukhresh’s way but he went home with the bronze medal. Sukhresh qualifies for the National Team and can represent Canada at the North America Cup in Mexico.
Will Wright competed in his first National Championships. Wright had a tough division and a tough draw. Will fought the eventual gold medalist in his first fight. In the repechage Will won his first two fights before losing to the eventual silver medalist. Wright finished in fifth place. For his first nationals it was a very good showing for Will.
The four athletes from the Taneda Karate Dojo were part of the 72 members from Karate B.C. that competed at the Nationals along with B.C. team coach Mike Ditson. The B.C. team was in top form winning 17 gold, 12 silver and 20 bronze. The 17 gold medals is believed to be a Karate B.C. record.