The 41st annual Steveston Karate International Invitational features some outstanding performances by the host club.
Taking part in the event's opening ceremonies were Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie, Consol General of Japan Sejii Okada, Richmond-Steveston MLA John Yap and Consul of Japan's Akira Uchida. They welcomed the athletes, while Uchida also presented the Consol General's Award to Toshi Uchiage - recognizing his competitive accomplishments. They include: Senior WFK and PKF medalist, Junior PFK champion, Commonwealth champion, 12-time Canadian senior champion and five-time Canadian junior champion.
Uchiage then proceeded to win the men's Kata event. His sisters reached the women's Kata final with Sumi edging out Hidemi. The two have faced each other three times in the past four national championships.
In men's Kumite, Masayoshi Nishiuchi lived up to his reputation, capturing both the Men's 70 kg and Open titles. He is the JKF Shito-Kai Kumite World Champion and won several tournaments for Japan. He trained for 10 months at Steveston Dojo and now is based out of Ippon Dojo in Calgary.
Guest referees were Chuck Sweigart (WKF Referee), Zvonko Celibija (WKF Referee and PKF Referee Committee). Over 450 athletes competed this year.
Here's a rundown of the division medal winners: WKF Girl Kata: Gold-Shalene Lee. Silver-Gwyndoline Tingey. Bronze-Darbyanh Heeman, Erica Chow.
WKF Boy Kata: Gold-Khyber Barnett.
Silver-Brandon Wilson. Bronze-Nathan Dong, Amr Fahmy.
Women's Kata: Gold-Sumi Uchiage. Silver-Hidemi Uchiage. Bronze-Miho Kataoka, Shalene Lee.
Women's 60 kg: Gold-Vienna Krumwiede. Silver-Hidemi Uchiage. Bronze-Gurkamal Gill, Valerie Doyon.
Women's Open: Gold-Vienna Krumwiede. Silver-Hidemi Uchiage. Bronze-Laura Wiederrich, Kelsey Orvick.
Men's Kata: Gold-Toshi Uchiage.
Silver-Jeff Ng. Bronze-Kenneth Lee, Seiya Takeuchi.
Men's 70 Kg: Gold-Masayoshi Nishiuchi. Silver-Seiya Takeuchi. Bronze-Nao Takeda, Jaon Farquharson.
Men's Open: Gold-Masayoshi Nishiuchi. Silver-Nao Takeda. Bronze-Adam Wackershauser, Jeff Othon.
