This past week, Canada’s Junior National Karate Team was in Santiago, Chile, in order to compete at the World Karate Federation’s 2019 Cadet, Junior and U21 Championships, the most select competitive event offered by the international federation. This tournament welcomed almost 1600 athletes from over 90 countries. While abiding by strict security protocols implemented in order to guarantee the safety of athletes, Team Canada’s Junior National Team maintained a strong presence at the event, finishing with four top-10 finishes including its first ever Cadet Kumite World Champion title.

In Cadet Male Kumite, Ethan Small, of Ontario, earned the gold medal in the +70kg division, winning his first four matches before defeating Ibrahim Shamoun (JOR) in the finals. Both Fernando Aguilera (BC, U21 M +84kg) and Alina Altinbaeva (ON, Cadet F +54kg) each won their first two matches and lost their third before entering repechage and finishing in 7th place, while Kristin Dixon (NB, Junior F +59kg) won her first two matches, lost her third, and finished 9th in repechage.

7 Karate Canada officials were also present for the Championship and some acquired new officiating licenses from the World Federation. KC would like to congratulate Thomas De Freyman (Kumite Referee B), Yogen Mungroosing (Kumite Judge A) and Babak Sotoudeh (Kumite Judge A) for successfully getting new licenses. Yaro Tarana also renewed his full WKF license.

Karate Canada President Mr. Craig Vokey states that “the 11th edition of the WKF Cadet, Junior and U21 Championships was memorable on many levels. The Canadian team performed well while under trying circumstances. Ethan Small’s gold medal is a fantastic achievement for the wider Karate Canada family, and we thank the World Karate Federation and the Chilean Karate Federation for ensuring a safe and excellent championship.”

This event was the final competition for the Junior National Team’s 2019-20 competitive season. The next Junior National Team Selection event will take place in Toronto in May 1-3, 2020.