Kelowna Karate and Fitness proved its prowess at the Western National Karate Championships in Chilliwack on Apr. 28th.

Despite competition from 13 dojos from Manitoba, Edmonton, Calgary, and B.C., the Kelowna contingent clinched an impressive haul of 41 medals.

Led by Sensei Paul Atkin, the dojo害羞草研究所檚 owner and head instructor, Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 28 athletes showcased their skill and determination in winning 17 gold, 10 silver, and 14 bronze.

害羞草研究所淪ome dramatic tales unfolded as it looked like some of our athletes were down and out in their match but the Kelowna crowd rallied behind them which created a momentum swing that took some of them to a gold medal,害羞草研究所� Atkin said.

Yuma Nakamura, one of the dojo害羞草研究所檚 elite competitors, earned double gold and the Youth Athlete Award for the highest kata score.

Kelowna dojo medal winners:

• Sensei Paul Atkin - Gold in Kata, Gold in Kumite, Silver in Team Kumite;
• Yuma Nakamura - Double Gold in Kata and Kumite - Youth Athlete Award;
• Isabella Bailey, Cayden Adlem, Adam Stanfield - Gold in Kata and Kumite;
• Merlyn Guilderson - Gold in Kata, Silver in Team Kumite - Bronze in Kata;
• Geordie Adlem - Gold Kumite, SIlver Team Kumite;
• Tyrel Heredia Ribalkin, Grayson Ogden - Gold Kumite - Silver Kata;
• Dryden Chwyl: Gold Kumite - Bronze Kata;
• Brooke Steirmann - Gold Kumite;
• Reese Duteil - Gold Kata;
• Genevieve Liboiron - SIlver Kumite - Bronze Kata - Bronze Team Kata;
• Kaela Linsdell - Silver Kata - Bronze Kumite;
• Natalie Liboiron: Silver Kata - Bronze Team Kata;
• Max Guilderson - SIlver Kata;
• Oliver Renz - Silver Kumite;
• Katelynn Liboiron - Bronze Kata - Bronze Team Kata;
• James Patrick MacFarlane - Bronze Kata - Bronze Kumite;
• Bodo Papke, Sofia Runter, Mervin Guilderson - Bronze Kata;
• Koston Nelson - Bronze Kumite.

Kelowna Karate and Fitness athletes are preparing for the National Championships next month in Montreal.

That event will see the selection of the Canadian team going to the World Karate Championships in Gunma, Japan this October.

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