EDMONTON, AB — May 20, 2026 — The karate community came, competed, and captivated. The Karate Canada 2026 Junior National Championships, held May 15–17 at the EDM EXPO Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, has officially concluded and by every measure, it was nothing short of extraordinary.

From the first bow to the final podium, Edmonton proved once again why it stands among Canada’s premier sporting destinations, delivering a world-class experience for 437 junior athletes, 77 coaches, and 70 referees representing 9 Provincial and Territorial Organizations from across the country.

Over three electrifying days of competition, Canada’s most talented junior karateka left everything on the mat. The depth of talent on display across all categories was a powerful testament to the strength and growth of junior karate development programs from coast to coast.

Sunday’s closing ceremonies, Karate Canada proudly presented its 2025-2026 National Awards, recognizing the individuals whose contributions to the sport go far beyond the tatami.

🏅  Senior Female Athlete of the Year — Hana Furumoto-Deshaies

🏅  Senior Male Athlete of the Year — Karim Ebraheem

🏅  Para Athlete of the Year — Natalie Olson

🏅  Junior Female Athlete of the Year — Maria Ouyahia

🏅  Junior Male Athlete of the Year — Ethan Choi

🏅  National Team Coach of the Year — Yevhen Motovylin

🏅  Development Coach of the Year — Sandeep Gill

🏅  Referee of the Year — Geoffrey Newell

Congratulations to each recipient – your dedication, excellence, and love for this sport are an inspiration to the entire Canadian karate community.

Gillian Benson, a cherished member of the Karate Canada staff, was recognized for an extraordinary 10 years of dedication and service to the organization. The special acknowledgment was presented personally by Karate Canada Board Chair Craig Vokey.

A special acknowledgment also goes to Referee of the Year Geoffrey Newell and the entire officiating team, whose precision, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to fair play elevated the standard of competition throughout the Championship.

The Championship didn’t end on Sunday. On Monday, May 18, the EDM EXPO Centre transformed into a high-performance training environment as newly selected National Team athletes participated in the National Training Camp – a dynamic session designed to build on the momentum of competition, accelerate development, and begin preparing Canada’s junior elite for the international stage.

None of this would have been possible without the incredible people who made it happen behind the scenes. Karate Canada extends its deepest gratitude to co-host Karate Alberta and its President, Heather Fidyk, whose leadership and organizational excellence were evident at every turn.

Karate Canada also wishes to express sincere thanks to the partners whose unwavering support made the 2026 Junior National Championship a reality: Sport Canada, for their ongoing investment in the growth and development of amateur sport across the country; the Government of Alberta, for championing this event and welcoming the national karate community to their incredible province; Explore Edmonton, for their invaluable support in showcasing Edmonton as a world-class destination for major sporting events.

The future of Canadian karate is bright and Karate Canada looks forward to watching these athletes carry the maple leaf with pride in the future.

To re-live all the action, visit our social media @KarateCanada.