Athletes from Ippon Karate Dojo returned home to Cochrane with a string of podium finishes following standout performances at the Karate Canada National Championships, held April 3–6 at the Richmond (B.C.) Olympic Oval.
The tournament took on added significance for the dojo as it marks 20 years of fostering excellence in both traditional and competitive karate.
Leading the charge was Vince Thottungal, who claimed gold in the U18 men’s kata division and joined teammates Yuki McNeil and Carter Dawood to secure another gold in men’s team kata. McNeil also earned silver in the individual men’s kata.
Other podium performances included Brooklyn Carter, who took silver in U21 women’s kata, and Indiana Carlyle-Byford, who earned bronze in junior women’s kumite.
Top-five finishes went to:
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Carter Dawood in men’s -67 kg kumite
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Piper Keegan in U18 women’s kumite and kata
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Bella Mutagubya in U14 women’s kumite
Ram Bhatt also secured a top-seven placement in cadet men’s kumite.
The athletes were coached by head instructor Sensei Adam Wackerhsauser and national team coach for Karate Canada, and his wife, Sensei Hidemi Uchiage, a former Team Canada athlete and Alberta’s head provincial Kata coach.
Following the championships, Sensei Wackerhsauser led a national team training camp on April 7 to further prepare Canada’s elite-level athletes for international competition.