Athletes from Varsity Performance Karate in Victoria, BC earned 16 medals at the 2019 edition of the Canada Open karate competition held this past weekend (June 1st and 2nd) at The Richmond Olympic Oval. 13 athletes from the club competed in the annual event considered to be one of the larger karate competitions in Western Canada.
Troy Patterson came out on top with a gold medal in the 12/13-year-old Novice Kata (forms) division. Troy also earned a bronze in the 12/13-year-old Novice Kumite (sparring) division. Troy’s sister Faith Paterson earned a silver medal in the 8/9-year-old Novice Kata and a 5th place in Novice Kumite.
Yashita Kaku took silver in the 8/9-year-old intermediate kata division
Irvin Goraya earned silver in the Elite 16/17-year-old +76 kg kumite division while brother Robin Goraya placed 7th in the Elite 14/15-year-old -70 kg kumite division.
Brothers Henry and Laz Torok both came away with bronze medals in the Elite 16/17-year-old -68kg kumite division.
Sisters Malia and Olivia Brodie walked away with three medals between them. Olivia took home dual bronze medals in the 14/15-year-old Elite Kata division and the 14/15-year-old Elite -47kg kumite division. Malia won bronze in Elite 16/17-year-old -53 kg kumite division.
Mother and daughter team Ella and Dr. Tanya Crowle also brought home three medals between them. Tanya took home a gold and a bronze in Women’s Advanced Kumite and Master’s Novice to Advanced Kumite respectively. Ella pulled thru to win finals and earn a gold medal in the Elite 12/13-year-old -45 kg Kumite division and also placed 5th in the 12/13-year-old Elite Kata division
Anika-Ocean Elliott closed the event with a bronze medal in the Elite 12/13-year-old -45 kg Kumite division while Sofia Devlin earned dual bronze medals in the Elite Women and the U21 merged -68/+68 kg kumite divisions.
The athletes were coached and supported at this event by Varsity Performance Karate Head Coach Kraig Devlin and Assistance Coach Dr. Tanya Crowle. Varsity Performance Karate is a Victoria, BC non-profit karate club offering competitive and recreation karate programs to the youth and teens of Greater Victoria.