February 22, 2012
Participation in the 2012 National Championships' Referee Clinic Mandatory on Both Days for All Referees
The Officials' Committee, in reviewing the recent important changes to WKF Kumite Competition Rules, has determined that it is optimal and hence necessary to provide referees with the chance to familiarize themselves with these crucial changes over both days of the National Referee Clinic (while still devoting time to kata as well) which will be held prior to the 2012 National Championships, on March 14-15. All referees who will officiate at this year's Nationals are therefore required to take part in both days of this mandatory Referee Clinic. The event's Information Bulletin has been slightly amended to reflect this (click here to view version 2.1 of the 2012 Karate Canada National Championships Information Bulletin). We thank you for your cooperation.
February 20, 2012
Online Pre-Registration for the 2012 Junior National Training Camp is Now Open!
Click here to pre-register online for participation in the 2012 Junior National Training Camp which will take place in Richmond, BC, on March 19-20. Please register as soon as possible, as places are limited. All Cadet, Junior and U21 kumite participants in the 2012 National Championships may take part in the Junior National Training Camp. Payment can be made in person on location, at the event (by cash or cheque). Please note that the Camp will be led by Karate Canada National Team Coaches, and that the participation of Canadian Olympic Taekwondo Coach Master Shin Wook Lim is confirmed for a special cross-training portion of the camp on kicking skills. Click here for the Camp Invitation poster.
Online Pre-Registration in O'Sensei Tsuruoka's "A Karate Life" Seminar is Now Open!
Click here to pre-register online for participation in the technical seminar led by Karate Canada Founding President Masami Tsuruoka, on March 14, in Richmond, BC. Do not miss this rare opportunity to train under one of Canadian Karate's Pioneers! Registration cost for this event is 35$ for participants who pre-register on line, and 45$ for participants registering at the door (by cash or cheque). Karate Canada members only. Click here for the Invitation to this event.
February 12, 2012
Updated Version of the 2012 Karate Canada National Championships Now Available and
Online Pre-Registration Now Open!
A slightly amended version of the 2012 Karate Canada National Championships Information Bulletin has now been posted, which contains clarifications and corrections about age eligibility guidelines and competitor divisions. Click here to view this updated version of the bulletin. Online Pre-Registration is also now open for all Team Managers, via the SportData website.
Important Change to the Junior National Team Member Requirements for the 2012-2013 Competitive Season
Please note that as per a recent decision from Karate Canada's National Team Coaches and High Performance Committee, ( and contrary to what had been announced in a January 11th News posting on this website) Cadet, Junior and U21 athletes will NOT be required to take part in the 2012 USA Open Karate Championships in order to be eligible to compete in the 2012 Junior Pan American Championships. We nonetheless continue to strongly encourage the participation of Junior athletes to this international open event, and Karate Canada's National Team Coaches at this event will support all Canadian Junior athletes participating in the event to the best of their ability, while primarily supporting the Sr National Team at the event. The official hotel where the Sr National Team athletes and Coaches will be residing will be announced shortly (Junior athletes may make their own travel and hotel arrangements, but are encouraged to reside at the same hotel as the Sr National Team athletes if possible).
Junior Athletes Invited to Compete in the North American Karate Cup for the 1st time!
The USA National Karate Federation will be hosting the 2012 North American Karate Cup in Las Vegas, NV, in the days leading to the 2012 USA Open Karate Championships (April 5th, 2012). For the first time in the event's history, Junior (16-17 year old) athletes will be invited to take part in the invitational tournament, at a ratio of maximum three per division per participating nation (Mexico, USA and Canada). Top ranked Junior age-eligible athletes from the 2012 Karate Canada National Championships will be invited to represent Canada at this prestigious event. More details coming soon...
Karate Canada Announces its New 2012-2013 Senior National Team Roster
Karate Canada has successfully led its 2012 First National Training Camp in Montreal, on February 3, 4 and 5. The Camp, which assembled 34 of the country's top Senior athletes, was led by 6 of Canada's current National Team Coaches (who also received mentorship from international guest Mr Antonio Oliva Seba), and included physical testing, workshops on sports nutrition, recovery and injury prevention and tournament simulation sessions with international referees and judges. We sincerely thank all referees who volunteered their time to help our nation's top athletes prepare for the coming competitive season, including Mr Cedric Barsdale of the USANKF.
The new 2012-2013 Sr National Team was named at the conclusion of the FNTC. Click here to view the full Team roster. We sincerely congratulate all Team members for their selection and wish them continued success in the coming competitive season.
Corrections to the 2012 Calendar of Events
Please note that some corrections have been made to the events calendar for 2012. Click here to view this calendar of events.
Ms Goli Khalili Elected as New Female Athlete Representative on Karate Canada's High Performance Committee
Karate Canada wishes to thank Ms Daphné Trahan-Perreault for her contribution to the High Performance Committee, where she has diligently fulfilled her role as Female Athlete Representative for the last year. Ms Goli Khalili has been elected by acclamation, at the conclusion of the 2012 FNTC, as the new Female Athlete Representative on the High Performance Committee, where she will be joining Mr Toshihide Uchiage (Male Athlete Representative) and the other Committee members.
4 Senior Athletes Approved for Carding in 2012-2013!
Following Karate Canada's nomination of 4 Senior national Team athletes for Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) support for the 2012-2013 Carding Cycle, Sport Canada has recently confirmed that they have indeed approved all 4 of these nominations. Therefore, the following 4 athletes will, in light of their recent performances, benefit from AAP support this season:
-Goli Kahlili (SR2 Card)
-Olivia Grant (SR / C1 Card)
-Shaun Dhillon (SR / C1 Card)
-Sorin Alexandru (SR / C1 Card)
Incidentally, all 4 athletes have represented Canada at the recent 2011 Pan American Games (Guadalajara, Mexico), where 3 of them have won bronze medals. We sincerely congratulate these deserving athletes, and have every confidence that they will use this support wisely and soar to even greater competitive heights. Please note that thanks to recent changes and improvements in Karate Canada's Carding Criteria, out association was able to nominate 4 athletes (thus using up the full quota allowed to our sport by Sport Canada) for AAP support this season, as opposed to only 2 nominations out of a possible 4 Cards last season.
February 4, 2012
2012 National Championships:
The Information bulletin is now available online!
Please click here to view the Information Bulletin (or here for a low resolution version, also in PDF) for the 2012 Karate Canada National Championships. Online pre-registration should be opened on the SportData website within the next few days; we will notify you all Provincial and Territorial Team Managers by email again as soon as online pre-registration is accessible.
Additional information about the events taking place during the days surrounding the Championship will also be posted on the Karate Canada website shortly.
February 4, 2012
Invitation to the 2012 Junior National Training Camp
Please click here to find a one-page invitation to the 2012 Junior National Training Camp, which will take place immediately after the 2012 National Championships (March 19-20), in Richmond BC. More details will follow shortly.
January 15, 2012
Congratulations to our athletes and coaches for their performance in Paris
Congratulations to our athletes and coaches for their performance in Paris, France, at the recent 2012 Paris Open, and especially to Kamille Desjardins (-61kg) and Chris de Sousa Costa (84+kg) who came in 5th position in their respective kumite divisions. This was the first opportunity to compete internationally under the new WKF kumite rules. We look forward to their feedback.
Click here to find pool and repechage results.
Click here for the final results from the tournament (PDF).
January 14, 2012
Information for Paris Open 2012
We have several links available for those who wish to follow
our athletes in Paris.
• Live Streaming ( www.livekarate1.com )
January 11, 2012
2012 National Championships
Please note that the information and registration package fro the 2012 National Championships (Richmond, BC, March 16-18) is not yet available, but should be posted within the next 2 weeks, along with a more detailed schedule of the courses and meetings which will precede the event and the Junior National Training Camp which will be held immediately after the championship. Participants will be given ample time to register for the event. We thank you for your patience.
Important: 2012 Junior National Team Requirements
Please note that all age-eligible gold medal winners at the 2012 National Championships in the Cadet, Junior and U21 divisions will also be required to compete in the 2012 USA Open Karate Championships, which will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 6-8, as mandatory preparation in order to be eligible to represent Canada at the 2012 Junior Pan American Championships (Aug 26-Sep 1, Cancun, Mexico). Athletes may make their own travel and hotel arrangements, but will be supervised by National Team Coaches and will be required to take part in National Team Trainings as of April 5th, as well as in other team activities (dinners or other) which will be announced soon. The official hotel where the Sr National Team and Coaches will be residing will also be announced soon. Furthermore, Junior National Team Members will be invited to take part in some inter-regional training sessions in order to perfect their skills under the tutelage of National Team Coaches throughout the season. Full details of the 2012-2013 Junior National Team Criteria will be published in February.
2012 Events Calendar Updated
Most of the key events for 2012 have now been added to the calendar. Click here to access the Calendar tab. Please note that the updated Sr and Jr National Team Criteria will be available shortly.
December 23, 2011
Team Canada Athletes to Participate in the 2012 Paris Open
A team of 12 kumite and kata athletes and current Senior National Team members will soon be travelling to France to take part in the 2012 Paris Open, one of this year's WKF-sanctioned Karate 1 international tournaments.
Here is the full team roster for this event:
-Jusleen Virk (Female Kumite -50 kg)
-Roxanne Côté (Female Kumite -50 kg)
-Jennifer Guillette (Female kumite -55 kg)
-Véronique Leblanc (Female Kumite -55 kg)
-Kate Campbell (Female kumite -61 kg)
-Kamille Desjardins (Female Kumite -61 kg)
-Maude L'Ecuyer (Female kumite -68 kg)
-Hidemi Uchiage(Female Kata)
-Daphne Trahan-Perrault (Female Kata)
-Gabriel Gates (Male Kumite -84 kg)
-Shaun Dhillon (Male Kumite +84kg)
-Chris De Sousa Costa (Male Kumite +84kg)
These athletes will be accompanied by National Team Coaches Germain Bisson and Nassim Varasteh.
Please join us in wishing these athletes the best of luck at this event!
December 14, 2011
Ms Kathy Waterworth Joins Karate Canada's Staff
As several of you have probably already noticed at the recent 2011 Summit and Symposium, Ms Kathy Waterworth has recently begun working for Karate Canada as a part-time Administrative Assistant / Project Manager. Ms Waterworth has had several years of experience as Karate Ontario's former Team Manager and has volunteered at numerous important karate events, and she holds invaluable experience in the field of sports administration and logistics as well as event planning and organization. Please join us in welcoming her to the organization, to which we are certain that she will be a great asset.
December 12, 2011
Karate Canada Office Closed for the Holidays
Please note that Karate Canada's office will officially be closed from December 19th to January 9th inclusively. We wish you all the best for this Holiday Season, and look forward to working with and for you in 2012!
2012 Paris Open Karate Championships
Karate Canada will send several Senior National Team athletes and 2 Senior National Team Coaches to the upcoming 2012 Paris Open Karate Championships (January 14-15, 2012). The full roster will be announced shortly. Please note that individual participants who may be interested in competing in this event may do so and register themselves (or through their club / dojo) via the SportData web site. Click here for the information bulletin for this high-level Karate 1 event. Karate Canada's National Team Coaches at the event, however, will have the participating Senior National Team athletes as their top priority, and non-National Team members should therefore not rely on the support of Karate Canada's national team coaches at this event.
Senior National Team members planning to compete in this event must complete an online registration form (click here for access – current Senior National Team Members only) no later than Thursday December 15th at midnight EST (in which they must provide their personal information, travel itinerary, travel medical insurance information, etc.).
2012 FNTC and Calendar
Please note that a first series of invitations to the 2012 First National Training Camp (for Senior National Team athletes who currently hold a status) will be issued soon, with further invitations to be issued shortly after completion of the 2012 Paris Open Karate Championships. The dates of the Camp are tentatively set for February 3-5, although this is not final and will be confirmed shortly.
The full 2012 calendar of events for the Senior and Junior National Teams will also be posted soon.
December 7, 2011
Sr National Team Rankings and Statuses Updated
You may click here to view the current and updated total accumulated points and statuses for Sr National Team athletes. Please note that the upcoming 2012 Paris Open (Paris, France, January 11-16, 2012) will be the last point-earning event of the season, until the 2012 First National Training Camp (tentatively scheduled for February 3-5, 2012 - to be confirmed).
December 6, 2011
Document on New Kumite Competition Rules
You may now consult a document presenting the new WKF Kumite Competition Rules which was shown at the 2011 Jr World Championships, by going to the Referees Tab.
November 30, 2011
2011 Karate Canada Summit a Success!
The 2011 Edition of Karate Canada's Summit and Symposium (offered in partnership with Karate Ontario) has been a resounding success, assembling approximately 100 participants, ranging from competitive athletes to coaches, club instructors and national or international referees. Karate Canada once again wishes to thank the WKF for its support of this very beneficial event, as well as its special guests, Mr Con Kassis and Mr Antonio Oliva-Seba, and our expert speakers Ms Suzanne Jean, Mr Jim Morrison, Mr Dragan Kljenak and Mr Zvonko Celebija. Furthermore, we wish to salute the work of our Technical Committee, who have proceeded with several Dan examinations over the weekend, and to sincerely thank our volunteers for their generous contribution to this event. We will soon issue a survey to all participants in order to collect feedback in hopes that this will enable us to further improve the format of the event for an even more successful edition in 2012 (tentatively scheduled for October 13-14). We look forward to greeting all of you again next year for this memorable event!
Ms Kristel Buendia-Larouche and Mr Sylvain Berthiaume
Re-elected on Board of Directors
Karate Canada thanks all members for their participation in the 2011 Annual General Meeting, which was held on November 25, in Mississauga, Ontario. Following the election which took place at this AGM, Ms Kristel Buendia-Larouche has been re-elected as Karate Canada's 2nd Vice-President, and Mr Sylvain Berthiaume has been re-elected (by acclamation) as Director at large. Both have been re-elected for a 3-year term. Karate Canada wishes to congratulate them both for their re-election, and thanks all nominees for their interest and dedication.
You may find all 2011 AGM-related documents and year-end Committee reports by clicking here.
November 21, 2011
Documents available for the 2011 Annual General Meeting
The annual general meeting (AGM) will be held on Friday, November 25th, 2011 at 6:00 PM (EST) at the Toronto Airport Hilton Hotel. Please download the following documents:
1. The 2011 AGM Agenda
2. Proposed Bylaw amendment
3. Minutes of the 2010 AGM
4. Karate Canada financials statements, March 31, 2011
Nominees for upcoming 2011 AGM & Election of Directors
All nominations have been received for the upcoming Elections of the 2nd Vice President (2 nominees) and one Director at large (one nominee) , which are to take place at the Annual General Meeting on November 25. Click here for the list of the nominees and a brief bio /platform for each.
Olivia Grant Takes 5th Place at Spanish Cup
Olivia Grant finished in 5th position of the Spanish Karate Cup held in Melilla this weekend, losing in quarterfinals, after several matches, to a 2010 World Championships bronze medalist from Spain. We congratulate Olivia and our National Team Coach at this event, Ms Nicole Poirier, for this remarkable performance, which positively marked Canada's first participation in this invitational tournament.
Chris de Sousa Costa Re-elected as Athlete Representative
Karate Canada wishes to sincerely congratulate Mr Chris de Sousa Costa, who has been re-elected by acclamation, on October 2nd, as the Athlete Representative on Karate Canada's Board of Directors, for a 3 year term.
November 17, 2011
2011 Summit & Symposium: Online Pre-Registration Deadline Extended Until November 19
Due to the high number of members having requested this, please note that Karate Canada has agreed to extend the online pre-registration period for the 2011 Karate Canada / Karate Ontario Summit and Symposium until Saturday, November 19, inclusively. Register as soon as possible, as space is limited in several sessions!
Karate Canada 2011 Summit and Symposium: Session Descriptions and Speaker Bios
We have recently updated our Summit and Symposium page to include detailed session descriptions and information on our speakers.
We look forward to seeing you in Toronto.
Canada to be Represented Shortly at the 2011 Spanish Karate Cup
A small group made up of 2 Canadian National Team athletes and 1 National Team Coach has just landed in Melilla, Spain, in order to take part in the 2011 Spanish Karate Cup. This will be Canada's first participation in this invitational event assembling kata and kumite athletes from Slovakia, Spain, Morocco, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Ecuador and Austria. All participating nations were instructed to send only one male and one female kumite athlete each, who are to compete in Open weight kumite categories. Karate Canada is pleased to send the following delegation to this event, and wishes them the best of luck:
-Olivia Grant (Women's kumite; 2011 PanAmerican Championship gold medalist
& 2011 Pan Am Games bronze medalist)
-Rock Guindon (Men's kumite: 2011-2012 Open Weight Kumite National Team member)
-Nicole Poirier (National Team Coach)
November 9, 2011
2011 Karate Canada Summit & Symposium On-line Registration
Please note that online pre-registration is now open for the upcoming 2011 Karate Canada Summit & Symposium. Please ensure to submit your online pre-registration by November 16.
We would also like to remind you that in order to benefit from our special discounted group rates, participants must make their hotel room reservations by Friday, November 11th inclusively at the latest.
We look forward to seeing all of you in Toronto very soon!
November 4, 2011
Notice of 2011 Annual General Assembly
Click here to view the formal notice of the 2011 Karate Canada AGM, which will take place at the Toronto Airport Hilton Hotel on November 25, 2011, from 6 to 8PM EST.
We would also like to remind all members that the deadline to submit nominations for the election of 2nd Vice President and one Director at Large is November 5, 2011, inclusively. Click here for access to the nomination forms.
November 3, 2011
Karate Canada's 2011 Summit and Symposium: Changes to the Schedule
Some changes have been made to the schedule of the 2011 Karate Canada Summit and Symposium. Click here for the latest version, which includes a business seminar working lunch for club owners as well as a round table discussion on the influence of current WKF rules on coaching and training of athletes in karate . A more detailed outline will also be posted shortly, and online pre-registration will be available soon.
Please remember to reserve your hotel rooms early as space is limited! The official event venue is the TORONTO AIRPORT HILTON HOTEL & SUITES. In order to benefit from our special group rates, please reserve no later than November 11th, 2011. You may book by calling Hilton Central Reservations at 1-800-HILTONS (1-800-445-8667) and giving the Group code: KCS11. You may also simply book online, by clicking here.
November 3, 2011
Final Tally of 3 Medals at Pan Am Games
As the karate tournament came to a close at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, Goli Khalii (women's kumite -61kg) unequivocally defeated a rival from Panama (5-0), then lost her second match to an athlete from Peru and tied with Venezuela in her third match, thus ending up in 5th position. Canada has consequently emerged from this prestigious multi-sport continental event with a total tally of 3 bronze medals in karate.
Karate Canada wishes to congratulate these athletes, their club instructors and the National Team Coaches who supported them at the Games for this remarkable performance.
3rd Bronze Medal for Canada on Day 2 of the Pan Am Games
Sorin Alexandru has won a bronze medal today in men's kumite at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. After tied matches against Columbia and Mexico, Sorin eclipsed his Uruguayan rival by a staggering score of 7-0, thus earning his ticket to the semi-finals, where he alas lost to the athlete from Venezuela, who ended up winning the gold in the -84kg division. Congratulations to Sorin, Olivia and Shaun!! All of Canada is extremely proud of you! Goli Khalili (women's kumite -61kg) will step onto the mats tomorrow, the final day of karate competition at the Games.
2 Bronze Medals for Canada on Day 1 of Pan Am Games
Olivia Grant and Shaun Dhillon both climbed onto the podium on day 1 of the Karate tournament at the 2011 Pan American Games, both winning bronze medals for Canada. Olivia defeated the 2011 Pan American Championship bronze medalist from Brazil and the 2010 Pan American Championship gold medalist in her first two matches, but then lost against athletes from Chile and Mexico. Shaun tied the 2011 Pan American Championships gold medalist from Mexico in his first match, defeated a rival from Puerto Rico and tied with an opponent from Trinidad Tobago, but then lost in semi-finals against the 2011 Pan American Championships silver medalist (and gold medalist in Open weight kumite) from Venezuela. Click here for full results. Stay tuned for more news as Sorin Alexandru and Goli Khalili prepare to represent Canada in the next 2 days.
Call for Nominations: Election of Directors at 2011 Annual General Meeting
Please note that the positions of 2nd Vice President (currently held by Ms Kristel Buendia-Larouche) and Director at Large (currently held by Mr Sylvain Berthiaume) at will be in election at the 2011 AGM, on November 25th (Toronto). Karate Canada will accept nominations of candidates for those 2 positions until November 5th inclusively. Please click here for the Nomination Form. Please note that the form must include the nominee’s written consent (signature), as well as the signatures of 5 supporting members. Please complete and return this form to Karate Canada via email at the following address: nominations2011@karatecanada.org , or by mail at the following address, no later than November 5th, 2011:
Karate Canada
4545 Pierre-de-Coubertin
PO Box 1000 Station M
Montreal QC H1V 3R2
Competition Begins Tomorrow for Team Canada at the Pan Am Games
Today was the final day of training for Karate Canada's National Team athletes competing at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. Competition is set to begin tomorrow at 10:00 AM local time, with Shaun Dhillon (men +84kg) and Olivia Grant (women +68kg) competing on day 1 (Thursday, October 27; click here for full draws and Schedule -results should also be posted there in real time as the day unfolds). Sorin Alexandru (men -84kg) is scheduled to compete on Friday (October 28) and Goli Kahlili (women -61kg) will be competing on Saturday, October 29th (day 3).
Live Streaming
Click here to access the official website of the 2011 Pan American Games, then click on the TV button from the menu on the right, which will provide you with a list of webcast providers, some of which, like Terra, cover up to 8 events live simultaneously (once viewing the feed, you may click on "+ Canales" to have access to more channels).
Team Canada at the Pan Am Games
Karate Canada's Team for the 2011 Pan American Games will be traveling shortly to Guadalajara, Mexico, where they will be competing on October 27-28. Here are the names of our 4 Team athletes, who will be accompanied and supported by National Team Coaches Gary Sabean and Kraig Devlin:
-Goli Khalili (women's -61kg kumite)
-Olivia Grant (women's +68kg kumite)
-Shaun Dhillon (men's +84 kg kumite)
-Sorin Alexandru (men's -84kg kumite)
We wish them all the best of luck for this event, and will keep you updated on the draws and results as soon as possible.
Arawaza Offers Uniforms and Equipment to Pan Am Games Team Members
Arawaza (one of Karate Canada's official sponsors) has generously provided all Canadian Karate Team members for the 2011 Pan American Games with complimentary new gis (uniforms), embroidered with the Canadian Olympic Committee logo, as well as with WKF-approved body protectors. Karate Canada wishes to express its sincere gratitude to Arawaza for this gesture.