Halifax, NS – Hundreds of athletes and dozens of coaches, referees, delegates and volunteers were assembled in Halifax, Nova Scotia this past weekend, for the 3-day long 2018 Karate Canada National Championships. This constituted yet another record-breaking edition of this event, now in its 43rd year, assembling no less than 487 athletes, 60 coaches and 73 officials. These championships constitute the main selection event for the Junior and Senior National Team Programs.

All participants were greeted to warm welcoming speeches, during opening ceremonies, by Karate Canada’s President Mr. Craig Vokey, Karate Nova Scotia’s President Mr. Gary Walsh, and Halifax City Councillor Mr. Richard Zurawski, as well as performances by SQUID (Celtic), Josee & Weldon Boudreau (Acadian), and Jim Maloney (Mikmaq). Co-host Karate Nova Scotia has been a vital partner in ensuring the tremendous success of this event, by recruiting numerous volunteers, and by providing generous assistance.

For the 4th consecutive year, the National Championships featured competitors in Para Karate divisions, who once again inspired the entire Canadian karate community with their display of determination, courage and perseverance.

The event also saw a number of extra selection divisions which determined the composition of the team Karate Canada will be sending to the Youth Olympic Games qualification tournament, taking place in June in Umag, Croatia.
All matches from this event were webcast live across the nation, courtesy of Bell Aliant (all archived matches will soon be available for viewing on our YouTube channel). Please visit Karate Canada’s Facebook and Twitterpages for more details and numerous pictures. The 2018 National Championships were preceded by no less than 2 distinct National Coaching Certification Courses, Dan examinations and various other meetings and activities. Karate Canada also held its traditional annual Banquet shortly after the conclusion of the tournament. Various prestigious awards were presented to members of the Canadian karate community at this banquet, which was graciously hosted by our long-time MC, Mr. Charles Fink. You may click here to view the entire list of award recipients. You may also click here to view an exciting “Year in Review” video presented during the Banquet.

Karate Canada wishes to sincerely thank Karate Nova Scotia and Karaté Québec, the event’s Tournament Director Mr. Eugenio Fontanilla, its Head Official Mr. Yaro Tarana, its staff at the event (including Karate Canada’s Events Manager Mrs. Cheryl Tataryn), all participating Committee members and volunteers, various members of the Board of Directors, our numerous and dedicated National and International Officials, as well as our various partners and sponsors for this event, including Sport Canada / Heritage Canada (the Canadian government), the Regional Municipality of Halifax, the Province of Nova Scotia, Arawaza, STGE, Halifax Marriott Harbourfront, Delta Halifax, Delta Halifax Barrington, and many others.

Karate Canada also wishes to thank and congratulate all Provincial Teams and participants for their remarkable performances. We wish all of you a great 2018-19 competitive season, and look forward to greeting you in Toronto (Ontario) in March 2019, for our next edition of these Championships!

You may click here to view the full results of this tournament. Given the high calibre of performances seen at these National Championships, the future looks bright, and Canada has very strong hopes leading up to the upcoming Senior Pan American Championships, Cadet & Junior Pan American Championships, Senior World Championships, and numerous other international events of the season.