MONTREAL—Three of Karate Canada’s most respected athletes – Haya Jumaa, Nicholas-Patrick Rivest and Daphné Trahan-Perreault – have been named National Team Captains for the 2023 season and beyond by the program’s head coaches and technical staff.

Haya Jumaa, a 29-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., represented Canada at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. Born in Dubai, and moved to Canada in 2013, Karate has been in Jumaa’s blood as a young child with both of her parents accomplished international level karatekas.

“It’s my pleasure and honour of being appointed as Team Captain of the Karate Canada National Team,” said Jumaa, who is a new mother to a baby boy this winter. “I accept taking on this challenge and I am ready to fulfill all duties of this role for years to come with due diligence.”

An accomplished student who graduated from York University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Health Science degree, Jumaa became the first Canadian to ever reach the top spot in her weight class in the World Karate Federation ranking last year thanks to a steady string of medals.

“Haya is an accomplished athlete with an incredible and unique journey in the history of Canadian karate. Charismatic and intelligent, soft-spoken outside the mats but incredibly powerful in action. She is set to inspire the following generations of karateka through her dedication, hard work, and discipline,” said Francois Persico, senior lead Kumite coach. “An accomplished athlete with tremendous work ethics, she is respected by her teammates who all know she always has the team’s greater good in mind. It is my honour and privilege to share to road with her as she will be the team captain for the senior national kumite team.”

Persico also helped name Nicholas-Patrick Rivest as the male Kumite Team Captain.

“I am grateful for the opportunity of being Team Captain of the national team,” said Rivest. “I am committed to being present for all athletes and ensuring that their team experience will be unforgettable.”

The promising Quebec-based athlete is a long-time standing athlete with the National Team who embodies tremendous work ethics.

“Every time I have had the honor of working with him at international tournaments, I have always seen him give everything he’s got to get a fair win. He is intelligent, communicates extremely well with his teammates and the coach and always represents the values of Karate Canada and of high-level sport,” said Persico. “I am extremely happy he has accepted the role of Team Captain for the Senior National Kumite Team.”

Another standout athlete from Quebec, Daphné Trahan-Perreault, has been named Team Captain of for the national Kata program.

“I am honoured to be named Captain. The Canadian team has been an integral part of my life for almost two decades, and I have always represented the maple leaf with pride,” said Trahan-Perreault. “It is with equal pride that I have celebrated the successes of my teammates. I hope to be able to support my teammates present and future while accepting this role.”

Trahan-Perreault has demonstrated resilience and fortitude as a longtime member of the Karate Canada family.

“Daphne is relentless and meticulous in her Kata training as she strives for excellence. She is a great role model for the future generation of athletes to embark on the National Team pathway,” said Pam Ross, senior head Kata coach. “As a member of the Karate Canada Athletes Council, Daphne is trusted and respected by her fellow teammates and coaches alike.  I am delighted that she has accepted the role of Team Captain for the Senior National Kata Team.”

Each of the three Team Captains will be counted to play a role leadership and mentorship role for developing karatekas while working with coaches to shape a positive and welcoming culture for all to enjoy their individual pursuit of excellence.

For more information on Karate Canada, please visit us at www.karatecanada.org.