Kelowna’s Rodney Hobson Karate Academy (RHKA) more than held its own, tying for top spot at the recent Canada Open Karate Championships at the Richmond Olympic Oval.
RHKA athletes won a total of 23 medals, including 10 gold, four silver and nine bronze, against more than 100 teams from around the world.
Athletes from India, Guyana, Mexico, Italy, France and USA vied for medals at the event, June 3 and 4.
Emma Tamaki lead the charge for RHKA with two gold and 1 bronze, followed by Lauren Reid and Aly Welliver, who each won a pair of gold medals.
Rounding out RHKA’s medalists were: Payton Scott (1G, 1S), Jennifer Werner (1G, 2B), Storm Wynne (1G, 2B), Kyle Beaudoin (1G, 1B), Jade Wynne (1G, 1B), Colby Maranda (1G), Davis Spencer (1G), Indigo Berry (1G), Jaeden Lambert (1S), Braeden Pett (1S), Brandon Nguyen (1S), Regan Nguyen (1B), Anya Therrien (1B).
These members were joined by their teammates who did not place but performed —Maxwell D’Aoust, Jack D’Aoust, Ben Welliver.
RHKA Chief Instructor Rodney Hobson is also the Karate BC Team Director.
Other Kelowna area clubs results are:
• Taneda Karate Dojos—2 Gold, 8 Silver, 6 Bronze
• Tom Mah School of Karate—2 Silver, 3 Bronze
• Kelowna Karate and Fitness—1 Silver
