Medal haul for karate club

Photo: Contributed

Sebastian Ariguznaga Schell Rivera

It was a banner weekend for Kelowna athletes at the Japan Karate Association provincial championships in Abbotsford.

The Kelowna team consisted of 17 athletes, 14 of whom came back with 19 medals, including seven gold, nine silver and three bronze.

Sensei Paul Atkin also won the Sakurai Shihan Award, along with silver medals in Kata and Kumite.

Medal winners include:

• Sebastian Ariguznaga Schell Rivera-Gold Kata (Forms) ,Gold Kumite (Free-sparring)
• Maya Slauson- Gold Team Kata, Silver Kata, Silver Kumite
• Liam Friesen- Gold Kumite, Silver Kata, Silver Team Kata
• Ryan Wakefield- Gold Kata, Silver Kumite
• Ashley Rand- Gold Team Kata, 4th Kata
• Justin Walker- Gold Kata, 4th Kumite
• Kanako Hirokami- Gold Team Kata
• Kaela Linsdell- Gold Kata
• Geordie Adlem- Silver Kata
• Tyson Cragg- Silver Kata
• Giovanni Rivera- Bronze Kata
• Jesse Ord- Bronze Kata
• Cayden Adlem- Bronze Kata

"The provincials tested true to be a high quality event of competitors and the  Kelowna athletes really showed a lot of heart and determination to see it to the end with all their events," said Atkin.

"Very proud that we have over seven members that qualified for the provincial team to represent our province at the JKA National Championships in Toronto."