MONTREAL—One of Karate Canada’s most accomplished athletes in 2023 will take on a key position on
Karate Canada’s Board of Directors to help shape a promising future while bringing the athlete’s voice to the organization’s leadership group.

“I am very honoured to be able to take on the role of Athlete Director on the Board of Karate Canada,” said Furumoto-Deshaies. “I put my name forward for this opportunity because I want to promote the interests of the athletes on the Board and better understand the issues Karate Canada is facing. During my tenure, I hope to enrich our community to make it more united while further developing transparency and communication.”

Compassionate, selfless, respectful and willing to challenge obstacles while exuding a passion for sport, fair play and a commitment to excellence, Hana Furumoto-Deshaies is driven to bring credibility to her sport in Canada.

Hana Furumoto-Deshaies’ performance on international Tatami’s of late is already generating significant respect within Canada’s community of karatekes. The 26-year-old Kumite athlete recently won her first Karate 1-Series A title on Canadian turf in Richmond, B.C. She was also a silver medallist at the 2023 Pan Am Senior Championships in addition to winning the North America’s Cup in the women’s Kumite -55kg event.

The Gatineau, Que. resident will succeed Toshi Uchiage, who recently took on a coaching role with Karate BC, as the voice on the Board of Directors representing the 2023 Athlete Council.

“The Karate Canada Board benefits greatly from athlete input both from the Athletes Council and the Athlete Director. On behalf of Karate Canada, I would like to welcome Hana to the Board where she has already made a positive addition to our meetings,” said Craig Vokey, President, Karate Canada.

With representation from both the Kata and Kumite community, the Athlete Council strives to be the collective voice of Karate Canada’s National Team Athletes. The Council regularly meets to prioritize issues athletes face, and develops recommendations based on the identified needs. The Athlete Council is designed to assure the National Team that Karate Canada is creating a safe space for athletes to bring questions, comments, and concerns forward with a guarantee that meaningful action will be taken. By keeping each other accountable and living the “We Are One” mantra, the Council enriches the athlete experience while supporting podium success. The Council will work with Karate Canada’s various stakeholders to bring solutions that will benefit all National Team Athletes in a transparent and collaborative manner.

2023 Athlete Council Composition
Hana Furumoto-Deshaies                      Yuki MacNeil
Nicholas-Patrick Rivest                          Guillaume Tremblay
Daphné Trahan-Perrault                        Fernando Aguilera

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

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