Edmonton, AB – Hundreds of athletes and dozens of coaches, referees, delegates and volunteers were assembled in Edmonton, Alberta this past weekend, for the 3-day long 2019 Karate Canada Junior National Championships. This constituted the first edition of the stand-alone junior event, assembling no less than 443 athletes, 56 coaches and 56 officials. These championships constitute the main selection event for the Junior National Team Program.

All participants were greeted to warm welcoming speeches, during opening ceremonies, by Karate Canada’s President Mr. Craig Vokey, Karate Alberta’s President Mr. Marc Ward, and Director of Edmonton Events, Mr. Doug McLean. Co-host Karate Alberta has been a vital partner in ensuring the tremendous success of this event, by recruiting numerous volunteers,and by providing generous assistance.

All matches from this event were webcast live across the nation via Sports Canada TV (all archived matches are available for viewing on sportscanada.tv). The 2019 National Championships were preceded by 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. Photo albums will also be available soon on our Facebook page.

Karate Canada wishes to sincerely thank Karate Alberta and Karaté Québec, the Local Organizing Committee Chair Mrs. Heather Fidyk, the event’s Tournament Directors Mr. Eugenio Fontanilla and Mr. Stéphane Rivest, 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), Edmonton Events, the Province of Alberta, STGE, Goshindo, Westin Edmonton, 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 2019-20 competitive season, and look forward to greeting you in Toronto (Ontario) May 1-3, 2020, for our next edition of these Junior 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 Cadet & Junior Pan American Championships and Junior World Championships.

Photo: The Lotus Studios Inc.