Karate Canada 2010 National Championships
Posted in News on 03/23/2010 01:04 pm by Taneda Dojo
Four athletes from the Taneda Karate Dojo represented British Columbia at the 2010 Karate Canada National Championships in Toronto on March 19 – 21. Coulson Boothe (17), Danielle Kumalae (15), Claire Boothe (15) and Sukhresh Kaloty (15) brought back 5 medals, 2 silver and 3 bronze.
Coulson Boothe competing in his third national championships had to compete in the largest Kata (forms) division of the tournament. There were 16 athletes from across the country in this 16/17 year old division. This was a very tough division that was stacked with competitors with a lot of international experience including medalists at the Pan-American level. Coulson performed to the best of his ability on the day of competition and was able to win the bronze medal.
Coulson was also part of the boy’s 16/17 year old Team Kumite team that captured the Silver medal. It was a bit of a luck that got Coulson on this team in the first place. At the BC Team selection tournament Coulson did not qualify for his own individual Kumite division, but the coaches felt confident with Coulson’s previous Nationals experience and they selected him to be part of the Team Kumite. During the Team Kumite competition Coulson won his first two fights 7-0 and 5-1. In his third fight, in the Gold Medal match, Coulson was matched up against one of the best fighters from Quebec and the coaches asked Coulson to get a tie in this match if possible. Coulson fought the best he could and was able to keep the match 0-0. Unfortunately the remainder of the matches did not go BC’s way and the team had to settle with the silver medal.
Danielle Kumalae competing in her second nationals had an amazing tournament. Danielle competing in the girls 14/15 -54kg Kumite division managed to fight her way all the way to the Gold Medal match. Danielle fought a very strategic match in the final that ended up going into overtime. Although Danielle did not win the Gold, the match was very close and was decided by only 1 point. By finishing second in her division Danielle was selected to the Canadian National team and may represent Canada in the future. Danielle was also part of the Girls 14/15 Team Kumite team that captured the Bronze.
Sukhresh Kaloty fighting in his first nationals had 2 very good fights. He lost his first fight to the eventual Gold medalist but was able to come back in the repechage and win a Bronze medal. Sukhresh made it to the BC Team by beating his opponents at the Team Selection tournament by a combined score of 19-2.
Claire Booth competed in one of the toughest 14/15 year old Kumite divisions at the Nationals this year. She lost her first fight against the eventual Gold medalist but the fight was very exciting and Claire fought her heart out. It was a great accomplishment for Claire to even qualify for the nationals as she has battled many injuries in the last few months. A few weeks before the BC Championships Claire broke her wrist and was put in a cast and was told she could have it for up to 6 months. There was even some thought from her doctors that she might need surgery on it. In the end surgery wasn’t needed and she was able to get the cast off days before the Provincials where she qualified for the Selection Tournament where she qualified for the Nationals.
The 4 competitors were coached by assistant BC Team Coach Mike Ditson from the Taneda Karate Dojo.
