Two Williams Lake Shogun Martial Arts Academy students competed earlier this month at the World Karate and Kickboxing Council World Championships.
Abrie Kilian, 32, and Carl Lam, 17, travelled to Saint-Hyacinthe, Que., along with Williams Lake Shogun Martial Arts Sensei Lee-Ann Lainchbury and team doctor Rochagne Kilian, from Oct. 2-7 for the event to represent Canada, joining other martial artists from countries around the world.
The duo earned their spot at the world championships by qualifying at provincial and national tournaments held earlier this year.
Both finished in the top four at nationals — also held in Saint-Hyacinthe in May — to go on to represent Canada.
Lam, at his first world championships, competed in point fighting in the 16- to 17-year-old, under-55 kilogram division, bringing home a bronze medal for his efforts.
“It was a lot of fun,” Carl said, adding it was a bit intimidating to compete on such a grand stage.
“It was my first time at worlds and I wasn’t quite used to the crowds, I guess.”
Lee-Ann said Lam’s fight could have gone either way.
“It was really close,” she said.
“I told Carl I wanted him to go out and get the first point and he did, then the other guy answered back with one.
“Carl got a two-point head kick, then so did the other guy. It was a lot of one point each, back and forth.”
Abrie competed in continuous fighting in the men’s under-80 kilogram division against an opponent from England.
“What an opportunity and what a privilege to once again represent Canada, B.C. and ultimately my dojo, and my community of Williams Lake,” Abrie said.
“In the end I placed fifth overall in my division. I had a very good opponent.”
Lee-Ann said both martial artists trained extremely hard in preparation for the world championships and both represented Williams Lake with class.
“They trained really hard and it showed in their fights,” she said.
“They both had really good showings and they both were really good members of Team Canada.
“They both represented Team Canada, as well as our club and themselves, very well.”