Saanich-based karate athletes brought back a list of podium finishes at the BC Provincial Championships held in early December at The Richmond Olympic Oval.
Athletes from the Varsity Performance Karate won five gold medals led by Olivia Brodie (13), her sister Malia (15), and Guillaume Claude (18), who each finished atop their elite kumite (sparring) divisions and Team BC qualification. Varsity Performance Karate masters athletes Dr. Tanya Crowle and Aaron Elliott also won gold medals, bringing the club total to 11 medals.
Malia Brodie, of Esquimalt high, won the gold in the elite 14 and 15 year old 54 kilogram kumite division and a silver in the elite 16-17-year-old 54kgs division. Olivia Brodie’s gold medal was in the elite 12-13-year-old 40kgs division and a bronze in the elite 12/13-year-old kata (forms) division. Claude’s gold medal is in the elite U21 75kgs kumite division with a bronze in the elite men’s 75kgs kumite division. Assistant coaches Elliot and Crowle also won silver medals in the men’s and women’s advanced kumite divisions, respectively.
Rookie 12-year-old Anika-Ocean Elliott picked up a bronze in the elite 12/13 45kgs kumite. Anika, the Brodie sisters and Claude are now in contention represent the Karate BC Provincial Team at the 2019 Junior National Championships in May, held in Gatineau, Que.
Kenzen Karate of Royal Oak also had an impressive showing, led by brother and sister duo Owen Brady (19) and his younger sister Faith Davison (13), of Royal Oak middle school, who each won gold medals. Brady won gold in the men’s advanced kumite (sparring) division and Davison the 12-13 advanced kata (forms) and 12-13 advanced kumite divisions.
“… Owen and Faith train side by side three times a week pushing each other to improve,” said chief instructor Richard Mosdell. “They really enjoy karate, they’re great dojo mates for the other club members, and their whole family are involved, from mom Marnie and dad Grant to their biggest cheerleader younger brother Matt.”
Next up on the competitive karate calendar is the Island Spring Golden League Series starting in February at the Vancouver Island Karate Championships in Nanaimo on Feb. 10.
