Two Campbell River athletes are in Quebec City for the Karate Canada National Championships, one is defending her title and another is making a first appearance.
Teams from all provinces and territories will be bringing their best team chosen through their selection process.
In B.C., the athletes need to attend several tournaments and a final selection process giving gran prix points until the top two athletes in each division are chosen.
Again this year, Casey Brake will be trying to win the National Championship in the Girls 16-17 plus 55 kg sparring.
Brake won this division in January of 2016 and later last year she attended the Jr. Pan American Championships in Ecuador as part of team Canada.
This week she will attempt to repeat, becoming two time National Champion.
Brake has been doing karate since the tender age of four and has “always been a very self motivated athlete,” said Roy Tippenhauer, Brake’s karate coach for the past 12 years. “Casey prefers to let her results speak for her success and is always humble when asked to elaborate on her success.
“We wish Casey all the success in the upcoming tournament and know she will make herself, her club and her provincial team proud.”
In addition to Brake’s berth at nationals this year another new face has emerged. Fifteen-year-old Cody Chamberlin went through the vigorous Karate BC selection process to place top in his division at the provincial level 14 -15 boys sparring. This distinction qualified Chamberlin to attend the national championships as well.
When asked about whether he was nervous he said, “I came into this season with a goal to make nationals so everything from here is a bonus.”
“In our club, it is the maximum effort and personal best which is striven for rather than the color of the medal,” said Tippenhauer. “I’m very proud of both students, they have worked very hard to get to this point in their careers.
“With Karate becoming an Olympic sport in 2020 it is possible for these two to make an Olympic berth with Canada’s team if their development continues moving forward, but we will take one step at a time,” said Sensei Tippenhauer.
Campbell River Shito Ryu was opened in 1985 by Sensei Tippenhauer and offers beginner classes for ages five and up.
Campbell River Shito Ryu has had 12 past national championships and numerous silver and bronze medals over the 32 years its been open.
Every year since 1993 they have had members attend the national championships except one year where a girl who had qualified took a band trip to Hawaii instead of going to Nationals.
