Members of the Vernon Shotokan Karate-do Club claimed 10 medals in a pair of recent International Shotokan Karate Federation events.
A five-member crew, comprising brown and black belts, battled at the national championships at the Richmond Oval, with Abigail Bos striking silver in junior women’s team kata (traditional forms).
Yuri Bos showed great form in the popular men’s black belt division, which featured more that 40 challengers. Carla Buchanan tested her skills in women’s black belt kata, but her solid performance was not enough to overcome strong competition from the Quebec and Alberta teams.
Vernon instructor Mike Ciurka, along with Danny Loo, were in tough in a talented senior men’s kata bracket. Loo was unable to advance, but Ciurka nailed bronze.
Earlier at provincial championships in North Vancouver, eight Vernon members hauled in eight medals.
Nathan Allen struck gold in the mixed 10-11-year-old green to purple belt kata. He also earned silver in kumite after a closely fought rematch. Sidney Bos brought home silver and bronze respectively, in the same division.
Neave Allen demonstrated great form in the girls 10-13 white to orange belt group to capture silver. Erik L’Ecluse earned bronze in the boys 8-10 white to orange belt kumite.
A trio of green belts competed in men’s green to purple belt action, with Ruy Romano and Bob Frederickson showing spirit and form in the kata and kumite events, but only Vern Holtz reached the finals to secure silver in each event.
Loo settled for fourth in the men’s black belt kata.
Ciurka kept a watchful eye on the Vernon club members in between officiating duties.
