The Steveston Karate Club played a part in Canada’s strong showing at last month’s 30th Senior Pan American Championships in Rio de Janerio.
Sisters Hidemi and Sumi Uchiage were members of the Canadian women’s kata team that earned a bronze medal. The Canadians defeated Mexico 3-2 then fell to eventual silver medalists Dominican Republic. The team also included Daphné Trahan-Perreault from Quebec.
Canada finished the championships with three bronze medals, as well as a pair of top five finishes. In light of recent injuries suffered by some of the team’s top-ranked athletes and usual medal contenders. In light of the fact that two of the three medals acquired were in team events, there appears to be growing depth within the team, and these results seem to suggest evidence of new talent emerging in the senior ranks, as well as marked progress in the kata program.
The Canadian team is now setting its sights toward the German Open Premier League Karate-1 Championships in September. The event will constitute the team’s final international preparation event before the Senior World Championships in Linz, Austria.
