Karate Canada and Karate BC are hosting the 2015 National Championships this weekend at the Richmond Olympic Oval.
The 40th edition of this event will bring together high profile athletes and expects to draw spectators and participants from all over the country, as the nation’s best talent takes to the rings.
The championships will also be the last national competition before the Pan American Games Qualifier (March 2015 in Toronto) and it will be one of the last opportunity for senior athletes to earn points towards national team selection and the opportunity to represent their country at two upcoming major multi sport competitions — the Toronto 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games.
Among those expected to compete are Seumi, Hidemi and Toshi Uchiage from the Steveston Karate Club. All three are longtime national team members who were trained by their father — Takeshi Uchiage — who opened the club back in 1973.
For junior athletes, this will be the first step in selecting the team which will represent Canada at the 2015 Junior World Karate Championships — slated for Indonesia in November.
For the first time, the Nationals will feature a Youth Cup division for 12-and-13-year-old athletes.
The competition gets underway Friday and continues through Sunday. Daily admission is $15 or a three-day pass can be purchased for $35.
