Congratulations to our dojo members on the Karate Alberta Provincial team – Sempai Mariah, Ethan and Diego – for a very strong showing at the recent Canadian National Championships in Richmond, BC.  Sempai Mariah won a bronze medal in each of U21 and team kumite and Ethan won a silver medal in youth kumite.  The Alberta team had their best showing ever with 14 medals won, including three gold!  As well, 13 of the 14 medals were won in categories under age 21 which bodes well for future success for the Karate Alberta team. 

Now that competition pressure has eased off slightly, it is time to consider our plans for the Soke Cup in Kumamato, Japan (August 5, 6 and 7). Our friend German Sensei in Nova Scotia has kindly checked into a block booking for hotels for the Alberta and Nova Scotia contingents from Monday, August 1 to Monday August 8.  I spoke with many of you asking for a tentative number of single or double rooms you would require if you are planning to travel to Japan. If I have not spoken with you and you are planning on attending the Soke Cup – please contact me regarding the hotel booking. The hotel is the Riverside Hotel.   It is a western style hotel with buffet breakfast with a mixture of western and Japanese food.  A single is room is ¥6000, semi-double is ¥7000, and a twin is ¥11000. For Saturday August 6^th there is an additional ¥1000 for charge each room. A semi-double room has a larger bed and a twin room has two beds.  We are not sure if breakfast is included in the room rate.  At this point, it is an expression of interest – I will let you know when you need to confirm your attendance and when a booking deposit/credit card will be required.  We will also be looking into some excursions in and around Kumamoto in the days prior to the tournament.  There is also an opportunity for our young athletes to do some training with a local school.  It would be nice if we all traveled to Japan together.  We have an offer from a travel agent to book us all onto the same flight to Kumamoto.  As many participants are bringing family members, we will leave return flights and any additional excursions you may wish to take, up to you.  Let us know if you are interested in this option.

The competition will be based on ICKF (International Chito-Ryu Karate Federation) rules.  We will provide more information about the competition format as it becomes available.

In addition to planning logistics for our travels there, we will also refocus our training over the coming weeks and months to concentrate on our kata and kumite skills for the Soke Cup.  

Announcements

• Class cancellations:  No classes on Friday, February 12 for Family Day weekend and from March 24 to March 31 inclusive for school use and spring break.   First class after the break will be on Friday, April 1.   

“Every time you train, you have the opportunity to create a better version of yourself.”  

Enjoy your training!

Gary Sabean

Head Instructor