The Steveston Karate Club continued its outstanding record for one last time in familiar surroundings.
The club produced a national champion for a 24th consecutive year at last weekend’s Canadian Championships at the Richmond Olympic Oval.
It marked the fourth consecutive year the event has taken at the Oval, part of an agreement reached between Karate Canada and the Richmond Olympic Oval Corporation back in 2012 to host six major competitions. It’s expected be some time before the nationals return here again.
Leading the Steveston contingent was Toshi Uchiage. The 30-year-old won his 14th consecutive Kata title at the senior level and 19th overall, going back to his days as a junior competitor. Clubmate Seiya Takeuchi earned bronze in the same event for the third straight year.
Meanwhile, Hidemi Uchiage also won bronze in the women’s Kata event. Erika Chow made it four medals for Steveston by also placing third in the Girls 14-to-15 Kata Division, while making her debut at nationals.
