November 1, 2022 – The Canadian Junior Karate Team was in action from October 26-30 at the WKF (World Karate Federation) Cadet, Junior and U21 World Championships 2022. Three of the 34 athletes in attendance made it to the medal rounds, one of them winning bronze.

The World Championships included more than 1,800 athletes from 105 countries, in 35 different categories.

Oonah Gamboa on the podium

Oonah Gamboa of British Columbia made it to the podium in the junior female kata category (16-17 years old). On October 26, in the first elimination round, she obtained the 2nd best score in her group behind Spain, a feat she repeated in the 2nd round. In the third round, she achieved the third best score in her group, behind Spain and Egypt, securing her a place in the bronze medal match on Saturday 29 October. Oonah gamboa won her bronze medal match against Turkey with an impressive score of 25.28.

Two other Canadians in the medal matches

Alberta’s Omar Almishri also made it to the bronze medal match on October 29, in the cadet male kumite +70kg (14-15 years old) category. In the October 26 elimination rounds, he defeated Kuwait 5-0, Serbia 3-2, England 7-0, but being defeated 0-3 by Estonia in the quarter-finals. With his opponent making the final, Omar Almishri advanced to the bronze match by winning his repechage 5-0 against Mexico. Despite a strong match, France took the bronze in a 2-5 result.

In the elimination rounds on October 28, Yamina Lahyanssa of Quebec made it to the semi-finals, qualifying her for a medal match. She defeated Israel 2-0 and won her match against Spain 1-1, from the match advantage (senshu), then won her match against Serbia 0-0 by decision (hantei). She lost in the semi-final 0-1 to Algeria, placing her in the bronze medal match on October 30. In this close match ending 0-0, the fighter from El Salvador came out on top by decision (hantei).

Craig Vokey elected to WKF Executive Committee

The WKF held a plenary session on 25 October, ahead of the championships. The new WKF Executive Committee was formed, a decision-making committee composed of a total of 24 members. Craig Vokey, the current President of Karate Canada, was elected by secret vote of the WKF Congress for a 4-year term, putting Canada at the centre of future decisions.

“I am honoured to have been elected to the WKF Executive Committee. I can advise that there will be a number of changes coming to the competition rules that should make things simpler and more streamlined in many ways,” said Craig Vokey of the work already underway by the committee.

About Karate Canada

Karate Canada is a not-for-profit corporation with the objective of describing and incorporating all activities related to the promotion, organization, regulation and popularization of the sport of karate all over Canada, of protecting the physical and emotional health of athletes, and of promoting the interests of karate throughout Canada.

Karate Canada and its 11 Provincial and Territorial Associations members normally assemble roughly 16,000 participants nationwide. Furthermore, Karate Canada is a proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, the World Karate Federation and the Pan American Karate Federation. See more at www.karatecanada.org.