A Summerland mother and daughter brought home medals from an international karate competition.
Rita Becker and her daughter Katie Becker were among the Taneda Karate Dojo members at the Soke Cup in Hong Kong last month.
The Soke Cup is the world championship competition for Chito-ryu karate.
Katie Becker, a green belt, won silver in girls 16 to 17 team kata.
Rita Becker, a yellow belt, took silver in the masters’ division kata and gold in the master’s division kumite.
While Katie Becker has been learning karate for five years, Rita Becker joined two years ago.
“It’s a wonderful way of staying fit,” she said.
While the competition was tough, she said the atmosphere within the karate dojo was encouraging.
“The dojo is so supportive. It’s like a big family,” she said. “We lift each other up with honour and humility.”
Katie Becker said the Soke Cup was an opportunity to show the skills she has been learning through karate.
“It was just beautiful to see all the hard work come together,” she said.
Summerland classes are held throughout the fall and winter. Classes started on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at Giant’s Head School.
Chris Taneda, head of the karate dojo, said the training through karate has helped students in other aspects of life.
Rita Becker agrees, adding that the discipline learned in karate has helped her daughter make wise choices and avoid bad decisions.
“It’s not just skills you learn in the dojo; it’s also skills you can apply outside the dojo,” she said. “I’m really pleased with what karate has given my family.”