Help these athletes travel to the World Championships!

On May 19, 2024, five students from Valley Shidokan Karate club in Chilliwack competed in the Japan Karate Association (JKA) National Championship in Montreal, Quebec. Over 200 of the best karate students from all across Canada gathered to compete in the tournament with only the top 4 from each division earning berths on the Canadian National Team. Students competed in kata (forms) and kumite (fighting) in divisions separated by age and gender.

Ben Krakower took gold in the boys age 14 kata category. Vian Thoma competed in the boys 16-18 category and earned a bronze in kata and a 4th place finish in kumite. Bjorn Thoma competed in the boys 19-21 category and fought his way to a 4th place finish in kumite. Amanda Homme earned a silver in kata and a 4th place finish in kumite in the girls 19-21 category. Tammy Miller competed in the ladies Master division and earned a silver in kumite and a bronze in kata.

All 5 Chilliwack athletes are now turning their sights to the JKA World Championship which will be held in Tokyo, Japan in October. Their instructor, Sensei Don Sharp will be accompanying them to Japan as part of the Team Canada coaching staff. Sensei Sharp is no stranger to competing at the world level having won the World Championship himself in 1996 as well as several other international competitions and titles. He has already set a gruelling training regimen for his athletes to help prepare them for their upcoming competition. They will work on their physical conditioning, karate and even have lessons on Japanese etiquette and culture to make sure they are ready for the experience.

This is the JKA karate equivalent of making the Olympic team and going to the karate Olympics. These athletes have all worked very hard to earn their spots on the National team and are looking forward to representing Canada on the world stage.

The team will be hosting several fundraising events over the coming months and collecting doantions through GOFUNDME as well