We have been back at training for about a month – hopefully everyone is feeling like their brains and bodies are in the training groove.  Welcome to our new members!  The focus over the next weeks and months will be on supporting our fellow dojo members as they prepare for upcoming tournaments, as well as gradings.  Colored belts who are ready, including brown belts, will grade before Christmas, whereas black belts who are ready will grade in the new year.  Please speak to me if you have any questions about what gradings include and/or how you can prepare yourself for them. We will provide further information on grading dates in the coming weeks.

Karate Alberta has a busy weekend planned in St. Albert, October 21-22.  On October 21, there is a Provincial Prospect Team Training scheduled for athletes who wish to be considered for the provincial team. That same day, KA is offering an officials’ clinic, including theory and practical evaluations for Karate Alberta members wishing to become certified WKF officials or enhance their current certification.  On October 22, KA is hosting a tournament, open to anyone who wishes to compete from either the children’s or adult class.  If you have any questions about any of these events, go to the Karate Alberta site for further information or contact me.

We wish the best of luck to Sempai Mariah Blunt as she has qualified to compete at the 2017 WKF Junior, Cadet & U21 World Championships in Tenerife, Spain, October 25-29.  Mariah’s category includes more than 40 of the world’s best U21 kumite athletes.  She has worked very hard to get there and we know she will do an excellent job of representing herself, her dojo and Canada!

Announcement   

• Class cancellations:  classes are cancelled on the following days due to school use: Thursday, October 26 and Thursday, November 23

“A negative thinker sees a difficulty in every opportunity.  A positive thinker sees an opportunity in every difficulty.”

Gary Sabean

Head Instructor