Hundreds of athletes and dozens of coaches, referees, delegates and volunteers were assembled in Quebec City (Quebec), last week, for the 3-day long 2017 Karate Canada National Championships. This constituted the largest edition of this event in its 42 year history, assembling no less than 441 athletes, 60 coaches and 65 officials. All participants were greeted to warm welcoming speeches, during opening ceremonies, by Karate Canada’s President Mr. Craig Vokey and Karate Quebec’s President Mr. Stéphane Rivest, as well as to a kata demonstration performed by Team Canada member and 2016 Senior World Para Karate Champion Ms. Patricia Wright, before the rest of the action got underway. Co-host Karaté Québec has been a vital partner in ensuring the tremendous success of this event, by recruiting numerous volunteers, and by providing generous assistance and equipment.

For the 3rd consecutive year, the National Championships featured and showcased competitors in Para Karate divisions, who once again inspired the entire Canadian karate community with their display of determination, courage and perseverance; this included an Autistic Kata demonstration division. Another popular item was the continued inclusion of the “Youth” divisions, featuring 12-13 year old athletes.

For the 4th consecutive year, all matches from this event were webcast live across the nation, via SportsCanada.TV (you may click here to view all archived matches). Please visit Karate Canada’s Facebook and Twitter pages for more details and numerous pictures. The 2017 National Championships were preceded by no less than 3 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.

Karate Canada wishes to sincerely thank Karaté Québec, the event’s Tournament Director Mr. Kurt Nordli, 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), the Ministère de l’éducation et de l’enseignement supérieur du Québec, the Delta Québec and Hilton Québec Hotels, Jukado Inc Martial Arts Equipment, Arawaza Equipment, Anthony Bhagwandin Sports Services Inc, Express JW, Special T Group Events, the Centre des Congrès de Québec, and many others. Finally, we wish to thank and congratulate all Provincial Teams and participants for their remarkable performances. We wish all of you a great 2017-18 competitive season, and look forward to greeting you in Halifax (Nova Scotia) on March 9-11, 2018, for our next edition of these Championships!

You may click here to view the full results of this tournament, which was the main entry point for members of our Junior and Senior National Teams. 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 Senior Pan American Championships, Cadet & Junior Pan American Championships, Junior World Championships and numerous other international events of the season.